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FILE PHOTO: Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 20, 2023 Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in action during her third round match against USA’s Jessica Pegula REUTERS/Sandra Sanders
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk gave her first WTA singles title to those who “fought and died” in her home country amid the ongoing Russian invasion after she beat Russian Varvara Gracheva 6-3 7-5 to win the Austin Open , Sunday.
The 20-year-old collapsed on court and covered his face with his hands after winning the title but refused to shake hands with his Russian opponent at the net.
“Everyone in the stands and everyone watching, especially in Ukraine, I want to say ‘Ukrainian Slavs,'” Kostyuk said during the trophy ceremony. The Ukrainian phrase translates to “Glory to Ukraine.”
“Being in the position I’m in now, it’s really special to win this title. I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and all the people who are fighting and dying today.
Western military officials estimate casualties on both sides at more than 100,000 killed or wounded since the Russian offensive began just over a year ago. Tens of thousands of civilians are also feared dead, while millions have fled the threat of war.
On Sunday, a woman and two children were killed by Russian mortar fire in a village in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, the head of Ukraine’s presidential office said.
Moscow calls the conflict a “special military operation” to protect security and deny targeting civilians.
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