Ukraine's Elina Svitolina congratulates countrywoman Marta Kostyuk for winning maiden WTA singles title at ATX Open 2023

Elina Svitolina rejoiced in fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk's special moment at the 2023 ATX Open on Sunday. The 20-year-old won her maiden WTA singles title with a 6-3, 7-5 victory against Varvara Gracheva in what was also her maiden WTA singles final.

Courtesy of the win, Kostyuk broke into the Top-40 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career, jumping 12 places from World No. 52 at the start of last week. Among the many congratulatory messages for the youngster was a special one from Svitolina, arguably the most successful Ukrainian tennis player of all time.

Svitolina took to social media to express her happiness for her countrywoman.

Elina Svitolina congratulates Marta Kostyuk for winning ATX Open (Image via Instagram).

Svitolina's absence from the tour will soon enter its second year as she last played on tour at the 2022 Miami Open in late March. The 28-year-old, who recently became a mother to her and Gael Monfils' daughter, recently hinted at making a comeback during the claycourt season. Replying to a fan's query regarding her comeback, the Olympic bronze medalist simply stated that she will return "soon," while sharing a picture of a clay-court.

During her time away from the pro tennis tour due to childbirth, Svitolina has also been an active participant in various events to raise awareness as well as funding to help those affected by the war in her country.

Meanwhile, Kostyuk has enjoyed a great start to the 2023 season, having also reached the Thailand Open singles quarterfinals and the Australian Open doubles semifinals.

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"I think this is how you win tournaments" - Marta Kostyuk highlights key to success at ATX Open

Marta Kostyuk in action at the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships.

Marta Kostyuk called it a "surreal" feeling to win her maiden WTA title on the back of a strong ATX Open campaign. Kostyuk, who dropped just the solitary set all week, believes that approaching the tournament 'one match at a time' helped her eventually emerge as the champion. The Ukrainian player is thrilled to be able to maintain good health and fitness of late.

"Very surreal. I was just playing match by match, and I think this is how you win tournaments, I guess! It’s not so easy to talk right now, but obviously I'm extremely happy," Kostyuk said after the match, as per the WTA.

"I’m just happy to be healthy and happy to play tennis and see the crowd enjoy my game."

Kosytuk started the year just inside the Top-70 of the WTA rankings and is already inside the Top-40. She will now travel from Austin to California, where she will hope to cause some upsets at Indian Wells and back up her maiden title with another strong performance at a much bigger event.