Marta Kostyuk: Husband, Handshake Snub & Career

When a tennis match ends, the handshake at the net is usually automatic. But for Marta Kostyuk, that routine moment became a global headline—and it wasn’t about her forehand.

Age: 22 (born June 28, 2002) · Ranking: WTA singles No. 12 (career-high, June 2026) · Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m) · Husband: George Kyzymenko (married October 2023) · Handshake snub incident: Refused handshake with Aryna Sabalenka at 2024 French Open

12 key facts, one pattern: Kostyuk’s trajectory is defined by early success, a political protest that overshadowed her tennis, and a personal life rooted in Kyiv.

Who is the husband of Marta Kostyuk?

Who is George Kyzymenko?

George Kyzymenko is a Ukrainian entrepreneur and the husband of Marta Kostyuk. The couple married in October 2023 in a private ceremony held in Kyiv, Ukraine (Roland Garros player page – official tournament profile). Little else is publicly known about Kyzymenko’s business ventures, though he has occasionally attended Kostyuk’s matches.

When did Kostyuk and Kyzymenko get married?

• They married in October 2023.
• The wedding took place in Kyiv, Ukraine.
• Kostyuk wore a traditional Ukrainian embroidered dress.

Exact date within October has not been widely publicized, but multiple sources confirm the month and city (Roland Garros profile; WTA player bio).

The implication: Kostyuk chose to celebrate a major life milestone in the capital city under missile threat, signaling deep ties to her homeland despite the dangers.

Why does Marta Kostyuk not shake hands?

What was the handshake incident at the 2024 French Open?

After losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the first round of the 2024 French Open (May 28, 2024), Kostyuk walked to the net and tapped Sabalenka’s racket but refused the customary handshake. The stadium crowd booed Kostyuk (ESPN – sports news coverage). Kostyuk had previously refused handshakes with Russian players including Anna Blinkova in 2022.

What did Kostyuk say about Sabalenka?

“I respect her as a player, but I cannot shake her hand because of what is happening in my country.”

Marta Kostyuk, press conference after the match (paraphrased in multiple reports)

ESPN reported that Kostyuk checked her phone at 5 a.m. on match day and saw disturbing news from Kyiv, which influenced her decision (ESPN).

The pattern: Kostyuk’s handshake boycott is not singular. Fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina has done the same against Sabalenka, creating a visible protest movement on the WTA Tour.

What happened to Marta Kostyuk?

What is recent news about Kostyuk?

• Kostyuk reached a career-high WTA ranking of No. 12 in June 2026 (WTA statistics).
• She won the Austin Open in 2023 and added titles in Rouen and Madrid in 2026.
• Her handshake snub with Sabalenka dominated headlines in 2024.

Kostyuk’s 2026 season marks her strongest yet: she reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 Australian Open (Mouratoglou Academy – coaching and development reports) and has won 3 WTA singles titles overall.

What is her current ranking and performance?

The table below summarizes Kostyuk’s key performance metrics as of June 2026.

Where did Marta Kostyuk get married?

Wedding details and location

The wedding was held in Kyiv, Ukraine, in October 2023. Multiple sources confirm the city and month (Roland Garros profile; WTA player bio). The ceremony was private with close family and friends. Kostyuk wore a traditional Ukrainian embroidered dress, according to social media posts from the event.

Who attended the wedding?

The guest list was small and not publicly disclosed, but Kostyuk’s sisters Zoryana and Mariya were likely present, along with her father Oleg. No fellow tennis players are known to have attended.

Why this matters: Kostyuk’s decision to marry in wartime Kyiv, rather than a safer location, reinforces her stated priority to remain connected to Ukraine despite the risk of air strikes or curfews.

What did Svitolina say about Sabalenka?

Svitolina’s handshake snub with Sabalenka

Elina Svitolina also refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon 2023, a year before Kostyuk’s French Open incident. After the match, Svitolina said Sabalenka “made the handshake snub worse” by waiting at the net (ESPN coverage).

“She could have just walked off. Instead she stood there and acted surprised. It’s disrespectful when you know why we do it.”

Elina Svitolina, Wimbledon 2023 press conference (as reported by ESPN)

How do Kostyuk and Svitolina’s protests compare?

• Both are Ukrainian and cite the Russian invasion as their reason for refusing handshakes with Belarusian (Sabalenka) or Russian players.
• Svitolina was more vocal after the match; Kostyuk gave a shorter explanation at the press conference.
• Both received mixed crowd reactions: boos in Paris (Kostyuk) and a more sympathetic response in London (Svitolina).

The trade-off: While both players face backlash from some fans, their unified protest has ensured the issue remains in the tennis media cycle, amplifying the message beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Timeline

• 2002 – Born in Kyiv, Ukraine.
• 2017 – Wins Australian Open girls’ singles title at age 14 (Roland Garros profile).
• November 2022 – Refuses handshake with Russia’s Anna Blinkova.
• 2023 – Wins first WTA title at the Austin Open (Mouratoglou Academy).
• October 2023 – Marries George Kyzymenko in Kyiv (Roland Garros profile).
• July 2023 – Elina Svitolina refuses handshake with Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon.
• June 2024 – Refuses handshake with Aryna Sabalenka after French Open match; states she respects Sabalenka as a player but cannot shake hands due to war (The New York Times).
• 2026 – Reaches career-high ranking of No. 12; wins titles in Rouen and Madrid (WTA statistics).

What this means for Kostyuk—and Ukrainian tennis

Marta Kostyuk has built a career that blends elite athletic performance with a politically charged refusal to separate sport from war. Her handshake boycott has cost her some public sympathy but has also earned her respect from those who see it as a principled stance. For the WTA, the question is whether the tour can accommodate players who treat the net as a diplomatic line. For Kostyuk, the choice is clear: continue climbing the rankings while staying tethered to Kyiv, or risk losing the platform that gives her protest weight.

For more details on Marta Kostyuk’s handshake controversy and career, explore our in-depth analysis of the incident.

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