No handshake & no photoshoot as Ukraine's Kostyuk beats Russia's Gracheva to win title
WTA
Marta Kostyuk won her maiden WTA title at the 2023 ATX Open in Austin, but her win was overshadowed by what happened after the match.
The Ukrainian player had a very good tournament. She was seeded eighth at the WTA 250 event, and on her way to the title, she beat Dalma Galfi, Madison Brengle, Anna-Lena Friedsam, and Danielle Collins.
Her final opponent, Varvara Gracheva, also played exceptionally throughout the week. The Russian player bested the first-seeded Magda Linette, Anna Blinkova, Sloane Stephens, and Katie Volynets.
In the final, Kostyuk proved to be the better player, winning the match 6-3, 7-5 to claim her first-ever title on the WTA Tour. But everything that happened after the match slightly overshadowed her win.
First, Kostyuk refused to shake Gracheva's hand. It's something she's done before, as she stated that she doesn't want to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players while the War in Ukraine is raging.
Last season, she met Belarusian Victoria Azarenka at the US Open and lost 2-6, 3-6, but after the match, she also refused to shake hands with the former World No. 1 and only touched rackets with her.
Speaking after the final, Kostyuk dedicated her win to Ukrainians, who she wanted to support, even though she's currently on the opposite side of the Earth.
"Being in the position that I am in right now, it's extremely special to win this title and I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and all the people who are fighting and dying right now."
After that, Kostyuk also thanked everyone involved in the organization of the tournament, but when it came to the customary photoshoot, the Ukrainian player also refused to take pictures with her Russian opponent.
"Yeah, obviously it's a very special moment no matter where it happens but I want to say thank you guys, everyone who put this tournament together. I know it takes a lot of work and a lot of hours, it's really not easy guys. Ball kids, staff, transporters, everyone, unbelievable."
"This is one of the nicest tournaments I've been to. I said in the draw ceremony that it feels like a home tournament here, and a lot of people came here to support me. Thank you guys, Thank you."
