Marta Kostyuk’s latest remarks on Russians in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war have caused a division among tennis fans on social media. After reaching the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2024, where she lost to Elena Rybakina, Kostyuk addressed the crowd and ended her speech with the phrase ‘Slava Ukraini’, meaning ‘Glory to Ukraine’. She explained that she uses this phrase to differentiate Ukrainians from Russians based on their response. While some fans criticized her attitude towards Russians, others supported her approach.
In response to the criticism, some fans expressed discontent with Kostyuk’s behavior, accusing her of being consumed by hate and anger. However, there were supporters who had no issue with her actions, appreciating her use of facts. Additionally, other reactions on social media highlighted the ongoing tensions between Ukrainians and Russians, with some fans questioning Kostyuk’s focus on the war and others defending her desire to connect with her fellow citizens.
During the press conference at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2024, Marta Kostyuk emphasized the need to raise awareness about the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting the suffering of her country and compatriots. She stressed the importance of not forgetting about the ongoing conflict and the difficult times her nation is facing. Kostyuk’s upcoming tennis tournament is the Madrid Open 2024 in Spain, where she is seeded 25th in the women’s singles draw and will begin her campaign on April 26th.
