Marta Kostyuk Explains Why She’ll Refuse Handshakes with Russian-Born Players Despite Nationality Change

Marta Kostyuk will clash with Mirra Andreeva for the second time in her career.

Marta Kostyuk Explains Why She’ll Refuse Handshakes with Russian-Born Players Despite Nationality Change

Marta Kostyuk (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

In Short
  • Marta Kostyuk will not shake hands with Russian-born players who have not publicly opposed the war in Ukraine.
  • She only shakes hands with Daria Kasatkina, who has criticized Russia's actions.
  • Kostyuk is set to play her third final of the season against Mirra Andreeva at the Madrid Open.

Marta Kostyuk will be playing her third final of the season. In the ongoing Madrid Open title clash, she will be up against Mirra Andreeva, who knocked out Hailey Baptiste, the American ace who was the reason behind defending champion Aryna Sabalenka‘s exit.

Before scheduling her match against Andreeva, Kostyuk registered a 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 victory over Anastasia Potapova in the semifinals, improving her head-to-head record to 3-2. At the press conference before entering the semifinal match, Kostyuk made it clear that she would not be shaking hands with Russian-born Potapova even though the 25-year-old changed her nationality to Austrian last December.

The 23-year-old said the only Russian-born player with whom she will continue to shake hands is Australian ace Daria Kasatkina because of her public criticism of Russia for its war against Ukraine.

The only player I shake hands with is Daria Kasatkina. She changed her nationality and also publicly stated that she does not support the war. That is why, out of respect, some players and I have chosen to shake her hand. Other players have changed their nationality, but none have expressed opposition to the war or supported the Ukrainian people. For me, that changes nothing.

Marta Kostyuk said

Kostyuk refused to shake hands with Sabalenka when she finished as the runner-up in this year’s Brisbane International. The Ukrainian ace, in fact, did not pose for photos with the Belarusian ace before and after the match.

Kasatkina has been struggling on the tour since the 2025 season and also skipped the remainder of the tournaments after her China Open exit. In Madrid, her run ended with a three-set defeat at the hands of Daria Snigur.

Kostyuk, on the other hand, will be playing a WTA 1000 final for the first time. Before this tournament, she produced her best performance at this level when she reached the semifinals of the 2024 Indian Wells Open.

Marta Kostyuk will meet Mirra Andreeva for the second time in her career

Marta Kostyuk emerged as the winner when she met Mirra Andreeva for the first time in this year’s Brisbane International quarterfinals. While Kostyuk is chasing her first WTA 1000 trophy, Andreeva has already added two of these titles to her trophy cabinet. Last year, she defeated Clara Tauson in the Dubai final and later upset Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final.

Mirra Andreeva (2)
Mirra Andreeva (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Today, even when I was trailing, I supported myself and tried to enjoy the moment of being in the semifinals of one of the biggest tournaments. I want to do the same on Saturday. Whatever happens, I’m already in the final. I want to enjoy, play well, and offer a good show. We played in Brisbane, and it was a tough match, but the conditions here are completely different. She is a very solid player, hits very hard, and has a great serve. I am excited about the final.

Marta Kostyuk said at the press conference

Kostyuk has already played two finals this year. After her defeat to Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final, she defeated Veronika Podrez in the Open de Rouen final, which was also her first title on clay.

Andreeva is chasing her third title of the season after wins in Adelaide over Victoria Mboko and in Linz over Anastasia Potapova. She has so far won two clay-court titles (in this year’s Linz Open and at the 2024 Iasi Open).

The 19-year-old has become the first teenager to reach three WTA 1000 finals since the format’s introduction in 2009. Before this season, she produced her best performance in the tournament when she reached the quarterfinals in the last two seasons.

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