CNN
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Ukrainian tennis participant Marta Kostyuk refused to shake arms along with her Russian opponent Varvara Gracheva after claiming victory within the ultimate of the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
Kostyuk defeated Gracheva 6-3 7-5, collapsing to the courtroom after changing fit level, sooner than refusing to shake arms with the Russian.
The 20-year-old, who’s from Kyiv, mentioned at January’s Australian Open that she would no longer shake arms with any Russian or Belarusian opponent with struggle raging in her nation.
She refused to shake arms with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the USA Open in September ultimate yr. Belarus is getting used as a key staging flooring for Russia’s struggle in Ukraine.
Kostyuk devoted her maiden WTA singles name to her local nation all over the trophy presentation.
“Being in the position that I am in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” Kostyuk mentioned.
“And I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people that are fighting and dying right now.”
Kostyuk didn’t recognize the crushed finalist in her acceptance speech.
The match win, the primary for a Ukrainian lady since Elina Svitolina in 2021, increased Kostyuk to No. 40 within the WTA ratings.
Among the grand slams, handiest Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian avid gamers from competing, resulting in a $1 million effective through the boys’s excursion.
Russian and Belarusian avid gamers had been allowed to play on the Australian Open this yr with out their flag or nation displayed.
