Brisbane’s new runner-up Kostyuk: My comments about Sabalenka were taken out of context

In this afternoon’s WTA500 Brisbane final, Ukrainian player Kostyuk faced world No.1 Sabalenka. Although she lost 4-6, 3-6 and finished as runner-up, her performance in the season’s first event impressed many.

This final was highly significant for Kostyuk; it marked her fourth career appearance in a tour final. Even more remarkable was her path to the final—defeating three top 10 players consecutively: Anisimova, Andreyeva, and Pegula—demonstrating outstanding form. Last year, the Ukrainian had a 1-7 record against top ten players, but this year she has already improved to 3-1, showing great progress.

“I gave it my all,” Kostyuk said after the match. “Playing against the world No.1 is always tough, especially when her serve is so strong. I’m proud of my week.”

Before this final, Kostyuk went through a turbulent period. In late October last year, during an interview discussing Sabalenka and Swiatek, the media misrepresented her words, quoting her as explaining their physical differences by “higher testosterone levels,” which sparked controversy.

However, the truth soon emerged. The original media outlet Tennis365 later admitted that Kostyuk’s statements were taken out of context and severely distorted.

After reaching the Brisbane final yesterday, Kostyuk finally had a chance to publicly clarify the matter:“I don’t think I’ve ever been quoted so inaccurately. It’s a bit upsetting for me because I feel that when deeper topics are touched upon, people get scared, offended, or nervous. In this case, my words were just taken out of context by a journalist.”

“It’s not my responsibility, so of course there was a tough time because my words were heavily twisted. But in the end, people hear and interpret things how they want, and I can’t control that. Today, everything is fine.”

Kostyuk’s remarks not only set the record straight but also showed the maturity of a young athlete under media pressure. She didn’t let the controversy affect her performance on court; instead, she turned it into motivation and created another career highlight in Brisbane.

From defeating three top 10 players to challenging the world No.1 directly, Kostyuk proved that her strength goes beyond words. Her fighting spirit, technical improvements, and understanding of the game all indicate she is growing into a formidable force in women’s tennis.

Although she didn’t lift the trophy, Kostyuk’s performance in Brisbane undoubtedly set a positive tone for her 2026 season. Her current world ranking has risen into the top 20, close to her career-high No.16, and more importantly, she has shown the ability and confidence to challenge elite players.

“This tournament gave me a lot of confidence,” Kostyuk said. “I know there are areas I need to improve, but I also know I can compete with the best.”

From the whirlwind of controversial remarks to the glory of the final, Kostyuk’s Brisbane journey is a testament to resilience and growth. In today’s increasingly competitive women’s tennis landscape, the 23-year-old Ukrainian is writing her own story in her own way.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)