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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.
"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."
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, while millions have fled the threat of
fighting.
On Sunday, a woman and two children were killed in Russian
mortar shelling of a village in the southern Ukrainian region of
Kherson, the head of Ukraine's presidential office said.
Moscow calls the conflict a "special military operation" to
protect its security and denies targeting civilians.
(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Lincoln
Feast.)
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