Kostyuk started the match, refusing to shake hands with her opponent as she that she was not going to shake hands with another Russian.
She had dedicated her win to the people of Ukraine. She did not acknowledge her opponent in any way.
“Being in the position that I am in right now, it’s extremely special to win this title,” Kostyuk said during the trophy ceremony, “and I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people that are fighting and dying right now.”
When she won, she put her hands in her face and sobbed.
“Obviously, it’s a very special moment.”
After her win, she climbed 12 points in the WTA rankings and will now crack into the Top 40 for the first time in her career.
She is the first Ukrainian woman to break into the top 40 since Elina Svitolina did it back in 2021.
Back in the Australian Open, the Ukrainian said that she will not be shaking hands with any Russian or Belarusian players. She had also refused to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka at the US Open back in September.