Tennis Star Marta Kostyuk Facing Scrutiny For 'Classless' Victory Speech

Despite winning the biggest title of her career this weekend, Marta Kostyuk is facing backlash from tennis fans around the world.

Kostyuk defeated Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 7-5 in the Madrid Open final to secure her first WTA 1000 title. It was a sensational performance from the Ukrainian, who only dropped one set the entire tournament.

After falling short in the Madrid Open final, Andreeva congratulated Kostyuk and her team on a great run in Madrid.

"I'd like to congratulate Marta and the team for this amazing win today and for how your clay season is going as well," the 19-year-old star said. "You won two tournaments in a row. You're playing very well. Congrats for the win today as well."

Kostyuk, 23, wasn't interested in showing respect to Andreeva. She instead gave a broad statement about the opponents she faced this tournament.

As you'd imagine, tennis fans weren't thrilled with Kostyuk's victory speech.

"Marta not even mentioned Mirra .. thats the different between a class Person and a Bad Person," one fan commented.

"Doesn't even congratulate opponent directly AGAIN," a second fan said. "If she cant do the bare basics of sportsmanship, don't PLAY."

"Classless," another fan wrote. "Couldn't even congratulate her opponent."

"Marta didn't even mention Mirra in her speech that is pathetic," a social media user added.

Why didn't Kostyuk greet Andreeva?

Kostyuk has made it known she won't shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

"You cannot be neutral in this. These ‘no war' statements - they hurt me because they have no substance," Kostyuk said in 2024, via Tennis World USA. "Seeing (Russian) players on-site really hurts me. And seeing them having the only problem not being able to transfer the money and stuff - that's what they are talking about - this is unacceptable for me. What is very disappointing is that no Russian player came to see me. None have told me they're sorry for what their country is doing to mine."

Barring a sudden change of heart, it's highly unlikely we'll see Kostyuk shake hands with Andreeva and other Russian players on the WTA Tour.

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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 10:01 AM.