Marta Kostyuk

Kyiv-born tennis star Marta Kostyuk, 20, made an emotional speech dedicating her first major tournament title to her country last night, as it continues to ...

Russian player Ms Gracheva, 22, lost in the WTA final to Ms Kostyuk. In the tearful interview afterwards, 52nd-ranked Ms Kostyuk said: 'Being in the position that I am in right now, it's extremely special to win this title. The Ukrainian player has previously slammed players from Russia and Belarus for not taking a stand against the war in Ukraine Footage showed her pointedly ignoring Ms Gracheva as she ran across the court to celebrate with fans. Obviously, we don't want the war, too.' 'I don't really talk to anyone.

Alexandr Dolgopolov hit back after some questioned Marta Kostyuk's decision not to shake her Russian opponent's hand.

I want to dedicate this title to [Ukraine](https://www.express.co.uk/latest/ukraine) and to all the people who are fighting and dying right now. [Ukraine](https://www.express.co.uk/latest/ukraine). It’s not the first time Kostyuk has taken a stand against her Russian and Belarusian colleagues, as she was part of a group of Ukrainians including the likes of Elina Svitolina who praised Wimbledon for banning players from the two nations last year, calling on other events to do the same. Explaining why the WTA world No 40’s move was important to make a statement, he added: “Putin has giant support in Dolgopolov has slammed those trying to undermine Kostyuk’s statement, tweeting: “I see, some still don’t get it.” Kostyuk has come under fire for her decision and the 34-year-old told those questioning her to “be quiet”.

Marta Kostyuk, who has been outspoken about Russian and Belarusians on the tour, offered no handshake to Russia's Varava Gracheva after her ATX Open win.

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk dedicated her first WTA Tour title to “all the people who are fighting and dying” after beating Russia’s Varvara Gracheva at the ATX Open. Kostyuk has been the most outspoken player about the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian players to continue playing on tour after the invasion of Ukraine. At the WTA tournament in Monterrey, Mexico, Donna Vekic secured her fourth title with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory over the top seed Caroline Garcia.

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk took home her maiden WTA singles title on Sunday after defeating Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva in the final of the ...

Among the grand slams, only Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing, resulting in a $1 million fine by the men's tour. 40 in the WTA rankings. However, her victory was marred by controversy as she refused to shake hands with Gracheva after the match.

Kostyuk dedicated her victory on Sunday "to Ukraine and to all the people that are fighting and dying right now"

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk chose not to shake hands with her opponent, Russian player Varvara Gracheva, after defeating her in the final of the ...

"It is therefore our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to The Championships 2022." "Being in the position that I am in right now, it's extremely special to win this title," Kostyuk said. This is our faith, I guess, and we have to just come back strong." They were not allowed have their flag or country displayed, The statement continued: "In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The Championships," the statement continued. Russian and Belarusian players were permitted to play in the 2023 Australian Open under a specific circumstance implemented by the tournament.

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Varvara Gracheva, a Russian, after she won the ATX Open in Austin, Texas on Sunday.

In 2022, Russian and Belarusian players were banned from competing at the Grand Slam. "Whoever speaks out [regarding the war] clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn't... "I don't really talk to anyone [Russian and Belarusian competitors] I barely say 'hi' to them." However, much like at Grand Slam events over the past year, flags of the two countries aren't allowed to be displayed by competitors and fans alike. She's a great competitor, I respect her as an athlete, but that has nothing to do with her as a human being." "We had a great match, don't get me wrong.

Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Varvara Gracheva after clinching victory in the ATX Open Final in Austin, Texas, over the weekend.

Kostyuk made it to the third round of the Aussie Open before she was eventually defeated by Jessica Pegula. "Whoever speaks out [regarding the war] clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn't... "Being in the position that I'm in right now, it's extremely special to win this title," she said. "I don't really talk to anyone [Russian and Belarusian competitors] I barely say 'hi' to them." Fans are also restricted from displaying Russian or Belarusian flags. "We had a great match, don't get me wrong.

On Sunday, 20-year-old Marta Kostyuk (born in Ukraine) defeated Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva to win the singles WTA Tour title.

I don’t think it’s just humane.” Kostyuk said in January. She’s a great competitor, I respect her as an athlete, but that has nothing to do with her as a human being.” After being defeated by Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, Kostyuk denied her opponent a cordial shake. It wasn’t Kostyuk’s first time performing this stunt. “We had a great match, don’t get me wrong. [Marta Kostyuk](https://www.outkick.com/marta-kostyuk-shake-hands-victoria-azarenka-us-open/) (born in Kyiv) defeated Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva after two sets to win the singles WTA Tour title.

The 20-year-old, who is from Kyiv, previously said she would not shake hands with any Russian or Belarusian opponent with war raging in her country.