Marta Kostyuk stood on the court in Brisbane, her voice steady at first, then cracking under the weight of her words. After losing the final of the Brisbane International to Aryna Sabalenka, the Ukrainian tennis player chose the trophy ceremony to share the harsh realities facing her homeland amid the ongoing conflict.
“I play every day with pain in my heart,” she told the crowd, describing how thousands endure freezing temperatures without electricity or hot water. This moment, captured on January 11, 2026, highlighted how the war continues to shadow the sport, even as players prepare for the Australian Open.
The match itself showcased top-level tennis. Sabalenka, the world No. 1 from Belarus, dominated with her powerful baseline game, securing a 6-4, 6-3 victory in just over an hour. She defended her title from the previous year without dropping a set throughout the tournament, marking her 22nd WTA singles crown.
Kostyuk, ranked No. 20, had impressed by reaching the final after defeating three top-10 opponents, including a convincing semifinal win over Jessica Pegula. Yet, the scoreline faded against the backdrop of Kostyuk’s post-match actions and statements.
As the players approached the net, Kostyuk opted not to shake hands with Sabalenka, a gesture she and many Ukrainian athletes have maintained since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Belarus has supported Moscow in the conflict, providing military aid and territory for operations.
This stance has led to consistent no-handshake policies on the WTA tour, a silent protest that underscores the personal toll on Ukrainian players. Sabalenka, who has publicly stated her opposition to the war on multiple occasions, appeared unfazed, focusing on her performance. In her winner’s speech, she praised Kostyuk for a strong start to the season and expressed hope for more finals between them.
Kostyuk’s runner-up address shifted the focus entirely. “I want to say a few words about Ukraine,” she began. She painted a vivid picture of daily struggles: sub-zero temperatures reaching -20 degrees Celsius, widespread blackouts from repeated attacks on energy infrastructure, and families bundling up indoors to stay warm.
She mentioned her sister sleeping under three blankets due to the cold, a personal detail that brought the distant crisis into sharp relief for the Brisbane audience. The crowd responded with applause, and Kostyuk ended with “Slava Ukraini” – glory to Ukraine – as Ukrainian flags waved in the stands. She later expressed gratitude for the support from fans Down Under, noting how seeing those flags moved her during the week.
In her press conference afterward, Kostyuk expanded on her decision. She described speaking out as a duty, saying it would feel inhumane to remain silent given her platform. “I have a voice,” she emphasized, pointing out that while some relatives have generators, others walk around in jackets at home to combat the chill.
Reports from Ukraine confirm the severity: Russian strikes have targeted power grids, leaving millions in the dark during one of the harshest winters on record. Humanitarian groups have warned of potential crises, with aid efforts straining to provide essentials like heating and water.
The ceremony drew mixed reactions online and in the media. Some viewers criticized Kostyuk for what they saw as a lack of sportsmanship, particularly for not directly congratulating Sabalenka. Instead, she thanked “all the opponents” she faced that week. On Instagram, where accusations flew, Kostyuk addressed the backlash head-on.
“The words I shared after the match prompted a lot of reaction,” she wrote. “For me, it is a conscious choice to keep reminding people about what Ukraine and its citizens are going through. Thank you to everyone who showed support. And thank you to all the players I faced on the other side of the net this week.”
Supporters praised her courage, viewing the speech as a necessary reminder amid fading global attention to the conflict, now in its fourth year. Ukrainian communities worldwide amplified the moment, sharing videos and expressing pride in her advocacy.
The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations commended her for highlighting the “extremely difficult conditions” caused by the attacks. Even in non-English media, the story resonated, with outlets describing her words as a poignant call amid the tension of the final.
This isn’t the first time Kostyuk has used her visibility to address the war. Since the invasion, she has been vocal, cutting ties with Russian and Belarusian peers who haven’t condemned the actions and criticizing what she calls excuses from some in the tennis world.
In past interviews, she has argued that sports and politics are intertwined, rejecting the idea of separation. Other Ukrainian players, like Lesia Tsurenko and Dayana Yastremska, have echoed similar sentiments, refusing handshakes and speaking out at tournaments.
Sabalenka, for her part, handled the situation with composure. In her post-match comments, she acknowledged the Ukrainian players’ position, saying she respects it and concentrates on the game.
The Belarusian has faced her own scrutiny, including questions about her government’s role, but has consistently distanced herself from the conflict. Her form in Brisbane positions her as a strong contender for the Australian Open, where she aims for a third title in four years after triumphs in 2023 and 2024.
As both players head to Melbourne for the Grand Slam starting January 18, the Brisbane incident serves as a reminder of the broader context. Kostyuk’s run boosted her confidence and ranking, setting her up for a deep push at the Open.
Yet, her words linger, bridging the gap between the court and the front lines. In a sport often focused on individual battles, moments like these reveal the collective struggles that persist off it. Tennis moves forward, but for Kostyuk and her compatriots, the fight for awareness remains part of every match.
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Marta Kostyuk defended her choice to speak about Ukraine’s war hardships after losing the Brisbane final to Aryna Sabalenka, skipping the handshake and sharing an emotional account of freezing conditions back home ahead of the Australian Open. (157 characters)
