Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk dedicated her first WTA title to "all the people fighting and dying" in her home country after defeating Russia's Varvara Gracheva 6-3 7-5 at the ATX Open in Austin, Texas.
MARTA'S MOMENT ♥️@marta_kostyuk has won her maiden Hologic WTA Tour title in Austin 🏆#ATXOpen pic.twitter.com/jxK6bQAEOx
— wta (@WTA) March 5, 2023
Visibly emotional after her win, Kostyuk shook hands with the umpire but passed her opponent by.
During the trophy ceremony Kostyuk, now ranked 40th in the world (a career high), said, "Everyone who is in the stands and everyone who is in watching, especially in Ukraine, I want to say Slava Ukraini [glory to Ukraine]."
"Being in the position I am right now it's extremely special to win this title. I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and all of the people who are fighting and dying right now."
"I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine. It's a very special moment 💙💛"@marta_kostyuk | #ATXOpen pic.twitter.com/RKtWoGPKdP
— wta (@WTA) March 5, 2023
The 20-year-old is outspoken in her support of Ukraine and has openly criticised Russian and Belarusian players who have not condemned the Russian invasion.
During last year's US Open she did not shake hands with Belarusian opponent Victoria Azarenka, and later made it clear that she would continue to refuse the gesture from players who did not speak out clearly against Russia's actions.
"People who just say they don't want war, it makes us sound like we want war. Obviously, we don't want war, too."
"Whoever speaks out clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn't...I don't think it's just humane."
