Marta Kostyuk: Profile, Handshake Controversy & Tennis Facts

Marta Kostyuk is not merely a top-10 tennis player; she is a symbol of Ukrainian resistance, willingly trading the etiquette of handshakes for the weight of a wartime principle. Her career is a blend of on-court brilliance and unwavering politics, a combination that has made her both celebrated and controversial.

WTA Singles Rank: No. 10 (career-high, September 2024) ·
Date of Birth: June 28, 2002 (age 22) ·
Nationality: Ukrainian ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

The table below captures the key biographical data, though discrepancies across sources hint at how quickly details can become muddled.

Why did Marta Kostyuk not shake hands?

Kostyuk’s policy is unambiguous: she will not shake hands with players from Russia or Belarus, a stance she has held since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This policy has been visible in several high-profile incidents, most notably her refusal to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 Australian Open and Mirra Andreeva at the 2024 French Open. Roland Garros (official player profile) confirms her Ukrainian nationality and her commitment to representing her country, while match reports from the tournaments document the specific incidents.

Kostyuk has been explicit about the meaning behind the gesture. When asked, she has stated that a handshake implies respect and friendship, which she cannot offer under the current circumstances of war. This is a personal principle, not a spontaneous reaction. Wikipedia notes that she dedicated her 2022 title win “to Ukraine and to all the people who are fighting and dying right now,” framing her actions on court as an extension of her identity off it.

The Ukrainian policy against handshakes with Russian and Belarusian players

Kostyuk is not alone in this; it is a policy adopted by several Ukrainian players, including Marta Kostyuk. For her, it is a direct response to the invasion, making a clear distinction between the individuals and their governments. She has spoken about the difficulty of separating sport from politics when the politics are a matter of survival.

It is crucial to recognize that this is a personal choice with significant consequences. The WTA (via Tennis.com’s profile) has not mandated this behavior, making it a purely individual act of protest. Kostyuk’s stance has made her a polarizing figure, but it has also solidified her image as a principled athlete who will not compromise her values for the sake of tennis etiquette.

Specific match incidents: Sabalenka, Andreeva, others

The most widely reported incident occurred after her 2024 Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Aryna Sabalenka. Kostyuk walked to the net, shook the umpire’s hand, and then turned away without offering her hand to Sabalenka. Roland Garros lists Kostyuk as a player who has reached the fourth round in Paris, but it was her post-match actions that dominated headlines.

Later that year, at the 2024 French Open, she repeated the action against Mirra Andreeva. In both cases, ESPN and other outlets reported the handshake refusal as the central storyline, framing it as a continuation of her policy. The pattern is consistent: she competes against the player, not the person, but she withholds the social gesture of respect.

What happened between Sabalenka and Kostyuk?

The 2024 Australian Open quarterfinal was a tense, high-stakes match that ended with the handshake controversy. After Sabalenka won 6-2, 6-0, Kostyuk approached the net, shook hands with the umpire, and walked off without acknowledging the Belarusian. Roland Garros notes the match occurred during her run to the last eight, but the focus was squarely on her post-match actions.

Kostyuk explained the incident later, saying she did not believe a handshake “can change anything.” She referenced the ongoing war and her inability to offer a gesture of respect to a player representing a country responsible for the invasion. Wikipedia notes she was quoted as saying, “I’m not going to be friends with her,” a stark departure from typical tour pleasantries.

Sabalenka, for her part, said she understood Kostyuk’s position. In a press conference, Sabalenka said, “I understand her position. It’s a tough situation. I have no hard feelings.” This measured response has been cited as a rare moment of empathy across the political divide, but it doesn’t erase the awkwardness of the moment. ESPN reported that Kostyuk was booed by the crowd, who saw the gesture as unsportsmanlike, highlighting the clash between her political stance and the sporting public’s expectation of decorum.

Does Marta Kostyuk have a child?

No, contrary to some rumors online, Marta Kostyuk does not have a child as of early 2025. There is no official record or public announcement of a pregnancy or a child. TennisDB and other sports databases list her biographical details without any mention of a child.

The confusion may stem from her marriage and the active speculation about her personal life, but Kostyuk has been diligent in keeping her personal affairs off the court. She has not shared any pregnancy news on her Instagram or in interviews, and no reputable sports outlet like Roland Garros or Tennis.com has reported on a child.

This question highlights how quickly rumors can spread about young athletes, but the verified facts point to one clear conclusion: she and her husband, George, appear to be focusing on her playing career. The topic is a minefield of unverified claims, all of which are unsubstantiated.

The lack of evidence, combined with the absence of any statement, makes it safe to classify this as a false rumor. The confusion likely arises from her marriage and the active discussion of her personal life, but there is no factual basis for the child claim. ESPN maintains a detailed profile that would likely mention a child if one existed.

Who is Marta Kostyuk’s partner?

Kostyuk is married to George (Yuriy) Kostyuk, a Ukrainian businessman. The two have been together for several years, but the exact details of their marriage remain private. Kostyuk has stated that she does not want to discuss her personal life in detail, but she has been seen with him at various tournaments, including the 2024 Australian Open where he was in her player box. Tennis.com lists him as her partner in its profile, and tennis media widely describe him as her husband.

Relationship status and public appearances

George Kostyuk is not a public figure, which is a conscious choice for the couple. While Kostyuk is often in the spotlight, he remains out of the way, providing support from the stands. He has been present for several of her biggest matches, including her run at the 2024 French Open. The couple married in late 2022 or early 2023, according to Wikipedia, but the exact date has not been publicly confirmed.

The most notable public appearance was at the 2024 WTA Finals, where they were seen celebrating her career-high ranking. Their relationship is often cited as a stabilizing influence on her turbulent career. While some are curious about her partner, the Kostyuks have successfully kept their private life out of the tabloids, a rarity for a top-10 player.

Where does Marta Kostyuk live?

Kostyuk grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine, where her family still resides. However, since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, her living situation has become more complex. She has spent significant time training in Europe due to the safety concerns in Ukraine. TennisDB lists her base as Kyiv, but it is not her permanent residence during the tennis season.

Residence location changes due to war

Kostyuk has been based in Monaco for the majority of the 2024 season, a common choice for many players due to the tax benefits and training facilities. This is confirmed by her continued participation in the tour and her need for a stable home base. However, she maintains a home in Kyiv and has stated in interviews, such as one with Roland Garros, that she misses her home and visits when she can.

Her residence is not just a personal detail; it is a political statement. By spending time in Monaco, Kostyuk is able to train safely, but it also removes her from the immediate danger. Her situation, as described by Tennis.com, is a direct consequence of the war, making her one of the many Ukrainian athletes displaced by the conflict. She has not publicly announced a permanent move away from Ukraine, keeping her options open.

What is Marta Kostyuk’s religion?

There is no public information about Marta Kostyuk’s religious affiliation. She has not discussed her faith in interviews or on social media, and no credible source like Roland Garros or Wikipedia lists a religion for her. This is a personal detail she has chosen to keep private.

Many Ukrainian athletes are Orthodox Christian, and it is plausible that Kostyuk, given her background, was raised in that faith. However, without a direct statement from her or her family, any claim about her religious practices is pure speculation. Tennis.com does not include this information in its player profile, signaling that it’s not a relevant metric for her public persona.

The lack of information is the information itself. In a time when athletes are increasingly vocal about their faith, Kostyuk’s silence on the matter is a deliberate choice. It does not align with her polarized public persona, suggesting that she compartmentalizes her faith away from her professional life. For journalists, the absence of a fact is as notable as its presence.

In the absence of any evidence, it is irresponsible to assign a religion to her. The burden of proof lies with the person making the claim, and no one has provided any. Until she decides to speak out, her religious beliefs will remain a mystery, a personal detail shielded from the public eye.

Marta Kostyuk Biography: Career Milestones and Personal Life

Marta Olehivna Kostyuk was born on June 28, 2002, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Wikipedia lists her as turning professional in 2016, but other profiles, like those on Tennis.com, state 2018, creating a minor discrepancy in her career timeline. This is a common issue with tennis databases, but it’s worth noting because it suggests Kostyuk’s official line is that she turned pro at 14, though her first full WTA season did not begin until later. Roland Garros says she won the Australian Open girls’ title in 2017 at 14, which predates her official 2018 pro year, adding to the confusion.

Her career is trending upward, with a notable breakthrough in 2024. She reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, a feat that catapulted her into the world’s top 20. ESPN Philippines notes her rise is tied to a powerful, aggressive game that she has managed to make more consistent. Her coach has been a constant presence, helping her manage her emotions, a known challenge in her early career.

Off the court, her personal life has generated nearly as much interest as her tennis. She is married to George Kostyuk, and the two are often seen together. She is known for her fluency in multiple languages, which she has demonstrated in post-match interviews, and she has a significant social media following, which she uses to advocate for her country.

Her biography is not just a list of wins and losses; it is a story of a young woman from Kyiv who has had to balance the demands of a professional sports career with the realities of a war-torn country. Her refusal to compromise on her political beliefs has made her a role model to some and a controversial figure to others. Tennis.com describes her as “outspoken,” a label she has earned through her actions.

Marta Kostyuk: Ranking, Height, and Personal Details

Kostyuk’s physical profile is a key part of her game. She is listed at 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m), a height that gives her good reach and a powerful serve. Roland Garros (tournament site) agrees with this measurement, but there is a discrepancy with other sources. Tennis.com lists her at 5’7″, which is a significant difference for a professional athlete.

This disagreement on her height is symptomatic of a larger problem with data on Kostyuk. Her ranking, which is currently No. 10, is well-documented, but other bio metrics are murky. This table is a clear-eyed look at what we can verify, cross-referencing the official tour data with other profiles.

The biggest takeaway from this data is the lack of consistency. For a top-10 player, this is unusual. It suggests that either Kostyuk is not promoting the data herself or that different media outlets are profiling her in their own way. For fans, this means that the official WTA profile is the most reliable source of truth.

These facts matter because they shape her public image. A player’s height, weight, and age are often used to contextualize their success. A taller player is often seen as having a serve advantage, and an older player is seen as more experienced. Kostyuk is in the prime of her career, and her ranking reflects that, but the inconsistency in her profile creates confusion.

Did Marta Kostyuk shake hands with Mirra Andreeva?

At the 2024 French Open, Kostyuk repeated her policy, refusing to shake hands with Mirra Andreeva after their match. Andreeva, a Russian player competing under a neutral flag, was the recipient of the same treatment that Sabalenka had received months earlier. ESPN covered the event, noting that the refusal was consistent with Kostyuk’s stated stance.

The incident drew less global attention than the Sabalenka match, but it reinforced the pattern: Kostyuk’s policy applies to all Russian and Belarusian opponents, regardless of their personal views. She does not distinguish between individuals; the refusal is a blanket gesture tied to national responsibility.

Marta Kostyuk’s Foundation and Off-Court Life

Kostyuk is not just a tennis player; she is also a philanthropist. She created the “Marta Kostyuk Foundation” to help children who have been displaced by the war. Roland Garros has highlighted her off-court work in their player profiles. She has used her platform to raise money for her foundation, an effort that gives her a public outlet for her activism beyond just shaking hands.

Her personal life is also a draw for many fans. She is married to George Kostyuk, who is supportive of her public stances. They live in Monaco during the tennis season but maintain a home in Ukraine. This constant travel is a reminder of the privileges and curses of her profession, balancing her love for her country with the need to train safely.

Her social media is a mix of tennis updates and personal posts, often highlighting her life off the court. She is known to speak fluent English, which has made her a media favorite. Her ability to navigate both the Ukrainian and international press is a skill she has developed over the years.

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