Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk won the Mutua Madrid Open in straight sets over Mirra Andreeva. It is her first WTA 1000 tennis tournament win amid a career-building season for her.
However, the real story happened after the last point was played.
Needless to say, it is not a postmatch scenario we’ve ever witnessed before.
MORE: What a Coco Gauff, Caty McNally “McCoco” doubles reunion at Italian Open means
Kostyuk celebrates
To begin with, Kostyuk did not shake hands with Andreeva. Everyone expected this because of the ongoing Ukrainian and Russian war. This has been the stance of all Ukrainian players with their Russian or Belarusian opponents.
In absence of the handshake, fans saw a backflip on the red clay by Kostyuk. This was a daring move because it isn’t as though the red clay is forgiving, and she was about to accept the champion’s trophy.
Kostyuk nailed it with no red clay landing anywhere on her body.
MORE: Emma Raducanu shares vague health update amid tennis absence
Andreeva cries
Epitomizing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, Andreeva was crying into her towel at her chair.
She was not given a few minutes peace to digest the loss because the tournament official was at her ear trying to give her instructions about the trophy ceremony while she was weeping in her towel.
Renee Stubbs tweeted how ridiculous this moment was, and she was absolutely right.
Andreeva will get another chance on Sunday to claim a Mutua Madrid Open championship with partner Diane Shnaider in women’s doubles against the Sunshine Double championship team of Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.
