(Video) Aryna Sabalenka Kisses her Biceps in Response to Marta Kostyuk’s ‘Testosterone’ Comments in the Brisbane Final

Aryna Sabalenka defended her Brisbane crown, defeating Marta Kostyuk in straight sets.

(Video) Aryna Sabalenka Kisses her Biceps in Response to Marta Kostyuk’s ‘Testosterone’ Comments in the Brisbane Final

Aryna Sabalenka kissed her biceps - Marta Kostyuk (image via instagram @martakostyuk), Aryna Sabalenka (image via ANP/EPA)

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Four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her 2026 season by defending her Brisbane International crown, cruising past Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3 in 1 hour, 18 minutes. After sealing the win, when Kostyuk netted the return on her serve, Sabalenka kissed both her biceps and then blew a kiss to the sky.

This was seen as a possible nod to Kostyuk’s earlier comments about Sabalenka having a biological advantage that makes her stronger and difficult to beat. Kostyuk’s comments, especially about higher testosterone levels, stirred a lot of controversy, and a month ago, even Sabalenka addressed Kostyuk’s claims, labeling them as excuses. During her Brisbane International campaign, Kostyuk remarked that she had been “misquoted big time” on this issue.

It was a matchup that had a lot of tension building up to it, and the coldness further continued as Kostyuk avoided shaking hands with Sabalenka after the match. Kostyuk also declined to mention Sabalenka by name in her runner-up speech, dedicating her remarks instead to her homeland, Ukraine.

The World No. 1, on the other hand, congratulated Kostyuk, expressing her hopes to meet in another final soon. This marked Sabalenka’s 22nd WTA title and her 19th hard-court title. With this win, Sabalenka leads the head-to-head against Kostyuk 5-0, with all victories coming in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka clarifies the meaning behind the kissing biceps celebration

During the subsequent press conference, Aryna Sabalenka was asked about her celebration of kissing the biceps, to which the Belarusian denied that it was done in response to Marta Kostyuk‘s testosterone comments:

No, I think because during the game I made a lot of aggressive, heavy winners when I see the speed, so I was just making fun with my team.

Sabalenka reeled off five consecutive games from 4-4 in the first set. Although Sabalenka was broken once in the first set, she became more comfortable in the second set, overpowering her opponent with her groundstrokes and forcing her into mistakes.

Aryna Sabalenka Brisbane International 2026
Aryna Sabalenka (image via Instagram @arynasabalenka)

Sabalenka had a phenomenal week in Brisbane, having won the title without dropping a set en route. She was the runner-up in the event in 2024, where she lost to Elena Rybakina in straight sets, while she overcame Polina Kudermetova in three sets to clinch the title in 2025.

Kostyuk reached her first final at a WTA tournament in nearly two years, having last played in the final in Stuttgart in 2024, where she fell to Rybakina in straight sets. At Brisbane this year, she registered three successive top 10 wins to reach the final, defeating Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula. She did not drop a set to either of these players and even bageled Pegula.

Aryna Sabalenka comments on Marta Kostyuk’s handshake snub

During the press conference, Aryna Sabalenka was asked again whether she had extra motivation to beat a player like Marta Kostyuk, with whom she has a history of comments and no handshakes. However, the 27-year-old reiterated that when she enters a match, she competes as an athlete and thinks only about tennis. Sabalenka also said that she doesn’t mind the lack of a handshake:

When I go into the match, it’s all about tennis and sport. When I go out there, I think about my tennis and the things I have to do to get the win. Doesn’t matter if it’s Marta Kostyuk or Jessica Pegula there. I still go out there and I still try my best, and I’ll still fight for the trophy. I have nothing to prove. I go there and I just compete as an athlete.

Marta Kostyuk, Aryna Sabalenka
Marta Kostyuk, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Game, Set & Talk)

After a strong performance at the Brisbane International, Sabalenka will be aiming for a third Australian Open title later this month. She was hoping to achieve a three-peat last year; however, she was denied this elusive feat by Madison Keys in the final in Melbourne.

Also Read: Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk Ignores Aryna Sabalenka During Runner-Up Speech in Brisbane, Gets Emotional While Talking About War: “Sister is Sleeping Under Three Blankets”