Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk gained her first WTA title on the ATX Open and refused to shake the hand of her Russian opponent, Varvara Gracheva.
Kostyuk, 20, beat 22-year-old Gracheva 6-3 7-5 in Austin, Texas.
She devoted her victory to her nation and “all of the people who find themselves combating and dying” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine final yr.
“Being within the place that I’m in proper now, this can be very particular to win this title,” Kostyuk mentioned.
She has been outspoken about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and beforehand refused to shake the hand of Belarusian Victoria Azarenka on the US Open.
Belarus has been a key ally of Russia within the battle in opposition to Ukraine.
