Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kosuyuk won her first WTA tournament in Austin. She refused to shake hands with the defeated Russian – and dedicated the victory to her compatriots.
When it was done, , crouched on the ground behind the baseline and sobbed: In a explosive final, the tennis player from Ukraine won her first WTA tournament on Sunday (local time) in Austin, Texas – against a Russian of all places. The 20-year-old defeated Varvara Gratschewa 6:3 and 7:5 in the final. She then refused her opponent the traditional handshake at the net. She won’t do that if she’s playing against an opponent from Russia, which has attacked Ukraine, or Belarus, which supports the invasion, she said. “In the situation I’m in right now, it’s something very special to win this title. I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people who are fighting and dying right now,” said Kostyuk at the award ceremony. She then thanked the tournament organizers and all employees.
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