Ukrainian Star Marta Kostyuk Win WTA Title

Marta Kostyuk, the top-ranked tennis player in Ukraine, declared her position emphatically after defeating Varvara Greacheva of Russia to win her first WTA title. The 20-year-old won the match in Austin, Texas, 6-3, 7-5, and did not shake hands with her opponent afterward. The new world number 40 has regularly criticised Russian and Belarusian athletes for not denouncing the conflict. She is one of the athletes who has spoken out the loudest about the choice to let Russian and Belarusian athletes to continue competing on tour following the invasion of Ukraine. The tennis pro has previously declined to shake Belarusian Victoria Azarenka's hand after a 6-2, 6-3 loss at the US Open, so this is not the first time she has done so, Sept. last year. "We had a wonderful match, don't get me wrong, Kostyuk said of bypassing the handshake. "That was simply my choice. She is a fierce competitor, and I admire her for her athletic prowess, but it has nothing to do with who she is as a person." Kostyuk, a Ukrainian, said that she doesn't often interact with Russian and Belarussian competitors but argued that as long as they speak out against their countries' policies, they should be let to compete. She uttered: "I really feel that everyone who speaks up clearly has a right to go on tour, but I don't think it's simply humane for anyone who doesn't. I don't really communicate with anyone [even my Russian and Belarusian rivals]. I hardly even say hello to them."

The Ukrainian won the first set and avoided a set point in the second in the ATX Open's debut WTA singles championship match on Sunday. Two points later, Kostuyk used a winning volley to conclude a rally and tie the score at 5-5. She then held for 6-5 and followed a cunning underhanded serve with a passing winner before breaking Gracheva's serve once again to win a fourth consecutive game and the match. Kostyuk was overcome with passion when her opponent's final forehand went long, and she fell to her knees. She described it as "quite strange" when she was presenting the prize. I was just playing matches one after another, and I believe this is how tournaments are won, I suppose. Right now, speaking is difficult, but I'm obviously really delighted. Just being healthy and able to play tennis and watch the fans appreciate it makes me happy. One of the most outspoken Ukrainian athletes during the conflict, Kostyuk, dedicated her win to people who were suffering in her nation. She remarked, "Winning this title is really special being in the situation that I'm in right now. I wish to dedicate this book to Ukraine and to everyone who is now fighting and dying. With the victory, Kostyuk has now amassed a year-to-date win-loss record of 15-6 (including main-draw and qualifying performances), and she has made her debut among the top 40 players in the world.