Why tournament winner Kostjuk refused to shake hands with final loser

Marta Kostjuk sank to her knees and put her hands in front of her face: In an explosive final, the Ukrainian won her first WTA tournament on Sunday in Austin (Texas) – against a Russian of all places. The 20-year-old defeated Varvara Gratschewa in the final 6:3, 7:5.

She then refused her opponent the traditional handshake at the net and dedicated the victory to Ukraine and all the people “who are fighting and dying right now”. How Kostyuk stated that she would continue to refuse to shake hands with an opponent from Russia, which has attacked Ukraine, or Belarus, which supports the invasion. “In the situation I’m in right now, it’s very special to win this title.”