Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk dedicated her first WTA singles title to those “fighting and dying” in her home country amid Russia’s ongoing invasion after she defeated Russian Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 7-5 to win the inaugural Austin Open on Sunday.

The 20-year-old collapsed on the court and covered her face with her hands after securing the title, but declined to shake the hand of her Russian opponent at the net.

The 20-year-old, who is from Kyiv, said at January’s Australian Open that she would not shake hands with any Russian or Belarusian opponent with war raging in her country.

She refused to shake hands with Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the US Open in September last year. Belarus is being used as a key staging ground for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“Everyone who is in the stands and everyone who is watching, especially in Ukraine, I want to say ‘Slava Ukraini,’” Kostyuk said during the trophy ceremony. The Ukrainian phrase translates to “Glory to Ukraine.”

“Being in the position that I’m in right now it’s extremely special to win this title. I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and all of the people who are fighting and dying right now.”

Kostyuk did not acknowledge the beaten finalist in her acceptance speech also.

The tournament win, the first for a Ukrainian woman since Elina Svitolina in 2021, elevated Kostyuk to No. 40 in the WTA rankings.

Among the grand slams, only Wimbledon has banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing.

Russian and Belarusian players were allowed to play at the Australian Open this year without their flag or country displayed.

Western military officials estimate casualties on both sides at more than 100,000 killed or wounded since Russia’s assault began just over a year ago. Tens of thousands of civilians are also feared to have died.

Moscow calls the conflict a “special military operation”.