'Pleasure playing you,' Marta Kostyuk puts rivarly on backseat as she lauds her Stuttgart Open opponent Elena Rybakina after suffering a straight-set loss

This is definitely one of the best tournaments in the world. Thank you for making it possible. All the sponsors, physios, chair umpires. It’s an amazing event. I hope to be back here every year. Marta Kostyuk said

Then she congratulated the Kazakh star for her dominating performance, praising her for having a great season. Kostyuk further thanked her team for making it possible for her to reach another WTA final.

I want to congratulate Elena and her team. She’s had an amazing couple of seasons already. Always a pleasure playing with you. Especially in the final. I want to thank my team. It’s been an incredible year for us so far. This one is for you guys. Thank you for being by our side. Marta Kostyuk added

Rybakina added the Stuttgart Open title to her trophy cabinet, which also has the Brisbane International and Abu Dhabi titles this season. It was also the Kazakasthani player’s third title on clay, after winning the 2023 Rome Open and the 2019 Bucharest Open.

Marta Kostyuk’s performance in the season so far

Marta Kostyuk started this year participating at the Brisbane International. After getting knocked out of the Round of 32, the 21-year-old advanced into the Australian Open quarterfinal, failing to defeat America’s Coco Gauff despite a formidable performance.

After another disappointing show in the Qatar Open, she reached the San Diego Open final but unfortunately, UK’s Katie Boulter defeated her in three sets 5-7, 6-2, 6-2. The 21-year-old made it to the Indian Wells semifinal but Iga Swiatek ended her campaign.

After missing the Miami Open, she played in the Stuttgart Open final. She will next participate in the upcoming Mutua Madrid Open. Kostyuk so far has won just one singles title, the 2023 ATX Open, and two doubles titles (in the 2022 Slovenia Open and the 2023 Birmingham Classic).