Marta Kostyuk: Biography, Handshake Controversy & More

Few things in tennis stir debate quite like the post-match handshake — a ritual meant to show respect that can, in the wrong moment, become the most political act of the day. Marta Kostyuk, the 22-year-old Ukrainian tennis star, has found herself at the center of exactly that kind of storm. This article walks through her career milestones, the Sabalenka and Andreeva handshake controversies, and what we actually know about her personal life — from marriage to religion.

Career-high singles ranking: No. 11 (WTA, July 2026) ·
Nationality: Ukrainian ·
Current coach: Sandra Zaniewska ·
Training bases: Monaco and Kyiv ·
Instagram followers: 831,000+

Six key facts define Kostyuk’s profile — from her early start to her current position on the tour.

The pattern across these stats is a player built for longevity: a professional debut at 15, a consistent physical template, and a coaching structure now led by Sandra Zaniewska.

Is Marta Kostyuk married?

One of the most searched questions about Kostyuk online is whether she is married. The short answer: as of 2025, there is no public confirmation of her being married. Her relationship status is not documented in any verified source — no husband, no partner has been named in her interviews or official bios. This is a deliberate privacy boundary.

Marta Kostyuk’s relationship status

• Kostyuk has not publicly disclosed a partner
• No engagement, wedding, or marriage announcements appear in any tier 1 or tier 2 journalistic source

Why this matters: For a top-20 player with a growing social media following (over 831,000 on Instagram), the absence of a personal life narrative is itself a choice — one that keeps the focus squarely on tennis.

What happened between Sabalenka and Kostyuk?

The handshake incident between Kostyuk and Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 French Open remains the most talked-about moment of her career. After losing the first-round match, Kostyuk declined to shake Sabalenka’s hand — a decision that drew boos from the Roland Garros crowd. Her reasoning? Political.

Why did Kostyuk not shake Sabalenka’s hand?

Kostyuk is Ukrainian; Sabalenka is Belarusian. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kostyuk adopted a policy of refusing handshakes with players from Russia or Belarus. She explained to reporters that she had not slept well before the match, checking her phone at 5 a.m. after seeing news from Kyiv (ESPN). The crowd reaction made matters worse: they booed and whistled at Kostyuk after she walked off court.

Sabalenka herself took a diplomatic stance at the Brisbane International in January 2026, saying Ukrainian players’ decisions on handshakes were theirs to make (ABC News Australia). Tournament organizers even skipped the customary pre-match joint photo to prevent misunderstanding.

The implication: for Kostyuk, the handshake has become a line she will not cross, regardless of the consequences to her image.

Why does Kostyuk not shake hands?

The policy is consistent: Kostyuk will not shake hands with any Russian or Belarusian competitor. This has created a pattern. After her loss to Mirra Andreeva in 2025, Kostyuk was again accused of unsportsmanlike conduct — with media outlets labeling the gesture “classless.”

Which tennis player does not shake hands?

Kostyuk is not the only player to refuse handshakes for political reasons, but she is the most consistent and vocal. Ukrainian players Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska have also refused handshakes with Russian/Belarusian opponents. Kostyuk sees it as a direct consequence of the war — every refusal is a public reminder.

Marta Kostyuk Accused of ‘Classless’ Gesture After Loss to Mirra Andreeva

In 2025, Kostyuk again skipped the handshake after losing to Russia’s Mirra Andreeva. The backlash followed similar lines: criticism from tennis traditionalists who see the handshake as sacred, and defense from those who view it as a legitimate form of protest. Kostyuk has not apologized for any of her refusals. She described the incident in Brisbane as “sad” and said she had been misquoted, but stood firm (ABC News Australia).

The implication: For Kostyuk, the handshake is not a sporting ritual — it is a political statement she is unwilling to compromise. The cost is clear: a segment of the tennis audience will always view her as confrontational.

The catch: this policy also shields her from accusations of inconsistency — every refusal is on the record.

Where does Kostyuk live now?

Kostyuk’s living situation is more complicated than a simple address. She trains in both Monaco and Kyiv, according to multiple sources. The Guardian reported in May 2023 that she was residing in Monte Carlo after leaving Ukraine (The Guardian). However, her official WTA profile lists her residence as Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Does Kostyuk live in Ukraine or Monaco?

• Wikipedia lists her residence as Monte Carlo, Monaco
• She maintains training ties to Kyiv
• No single definitive primary residence has been confirmed by Kostyuk herself

The pattern: Like many Ukrainian athletes, Kostyuk has adopted a split-residence model — safe training facilities in Monaco with continued connection to home. The trade-off is that she lives far from family during wartime.

What this means: her living arrangement is a practical response to war, not a permanent relocation.

Is Marta Kostyuk Catholic?

Speculation about Kostyuk’s religion circulates online — but no verified source confirms she is Catholic. Ukraine is predominantly Orthodox Christian, and Kostyuk has never made a public statement about her faith. Wikipedia does not list a religion for her, and no interview from a tier 1 or tier 2 outlet covers the topic.

Kostyuk religion

• No confirmed religious affiliation in any reliable source
• Ukraine’s population is ~70% Orthodox Christian; Catholic membership is a minority
• No evidence ties Kostyuk to a specific denomination

The catch: The absence of information has not stopped online rumors. Without a direct statement from Kostyuk, any attribution of religious belief is speculative.

“I think it’s sad that we have to go through these conversations. But I’m not going to apologize for standing up for what I believe in.”

— Marta Kostyuk, speaking on handshake policy (paraphrased from multiple media accounts including The Guardian and ESPN)

“She’s made her position clear. As athletes, we respect that, even if we don’t all agree.”

— Aryna Sabalenka, on Kostyuk’s handshake stance (ABC News Australia, January 2026)

Timeline: Key moments in Kostyuk’s career

• 2002 — Born in Kyiv, Ukraine
• 2017 — Turned professional
• 2023 — Refused handshake with Aryna Sabalenka at French Open; crowd booed
• 2024 — Reached career-high ranking of No. 16 on 17 June
• 2025 — Handshake controversy with Mirra Andreeva; accused of unsportsmanlike conduct
• January 2026 — Brisbane International organizers skip joint photo with Sabalenka; Kostyuk describes situation as “sad”
• July 2026 — Reached career-high ranking No. 11

For Ukrainian tennis fans and international audiences alike, Marta Kostyuk represents a truth many athletes avoid: that sport is never fully separate from politics. Her handshake policy, her guarded personal life, and her rise to No. 11 in the WTA rankings all trace back to the same root — a refusal to pretend that war and sport exist in different worlds. For future opponents, the choice is simple: respect the stance, or fuel the fire.

Her refusal to shake hands with opponents has become a defining part of her public image, as detailed in her handshake controversy.

Frequently asked questions