US Open bride-to-be cancels wedding, wins Grand Slam title
Lyudmyla Kichenok Claims First Grand Slam Title at US Open After Postponing Her Wedding In a remarkable turn of events, Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Kichenok became a Grand Slam champion at the 2023 US Open on Friday, just two days after she had to cancel her wedding plans. Kichenok, 32, was all set to marry her longtime…
Lyudmyla Kichenok Claims First Grand Slam Title at US Open After Postponing Her Wedding
In a remarkable turn of events, Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Kichenok became a Grand Slam champion at the 2023 US Open on Friday, just two days after she had to cancel her wedding plans. Kichenok, 32, was all set to marry her longtime boyfriend, Stas Khmarsky, on Wednesday, September 6. However, a deep run at the US Open, alongside her doubles partner Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia, meant that the ceremony had to be put on hold.
The duo, Kichenok and Ostapenko, seeded seventh in the women’s doubles draw, emerged victorious in the final, defeating France’s Kristina Mladenovic and China’s Zhang Shuai in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. This marked the first-ever Grand Slam title for Kichenok, an emotional and monumental achievement for the Ukrainian, especially given the personal sacrifices she made leading up to the victory.
Kichenok had been planning to marry Khmarsky, who interestingly also happens to be Ostapenko’s coach. As fate would have it, the couple had scheduled their wedding for Wednesday, but as Kichenok and Ostapenko kept progressing through the tournament, they made it to the semi-finals, which coincidentally took place on the same day as her planned nuptials.
Reflecting on the extraordinary week, Kichenok spoke with a mixture of joy and amusement. “My boyfriend and I were supposed to get married on Wednesday, but it didn’t happen,” she said after securing the championship. “We actually had the appointment scheduled for that day, but I was playing the semi-finals instead.”
Despite the postponement of her wedding, Kichenok’s focus on the court was unwavering. She and Ostapenko showcased a fantastic run of form throughout the tournament. Their on-court chemistry was evident, and their partnership brought out the best in both players. The final match against Mladenovic and Zhang was a testament to their teamwork, with Kichenok and Ostapenko controlling the match from the baseline, hitting precise groundstrokes, and making key volleys to seal the win.
Kichenok’s road to becoming a Grand Slam champion has been a long and challenging one. She has been a consistent figure on the doubles circuit for years, but her breakthrough at a Grand Slam event had always eluded her—until now. Winning at the US Open, especially after postponing one of the most important days of her personal life, has made this title even more special for her.
In an emotional interview after the match, Kichenok credited her fiancé Khmarsky for being incredibly supportive during the tournament. “He’s always been there for me, and although we had to delay our wedding, he was the first to say, ‘This is your moment, and you should focus on the tournament,’” she shared. “It’s a special feeling to win such a big title, and I know we’ll celebrate both this win and our wedding very soon.”
Her doubles partner, Jelena Ostapenko, was equally elated with the triumph. Ostapenko, who has also had an impressive career in both singles and doubles, praised Kichenok’s performance throughout the tournament. “Lyudmyla played some incredible tennis this week,” said Ostapenko. “We’ve worked so hard to reach this point, and I’m thrilled that we managed to win this title together. It’s especially nice to share this win with her, given everything she’s been juggling off the court.”
For Kichenok, the victory is not just a personal milestone but also a significant moment for Ukraine, as she becomes one of the few Ukrainian players to ever win a Grand Slam title. At a time when her country is facing immense challenges, her success on the tennis court serves as an inspiration to many Ukrainians who are looking for moments of pride and joy amidst adversity.
The victory celebration, however, will have to be a dual one. Kichenok and Khmarsky are now planning to reschedule their wedding for a later date. “We’ll find the right time for it,” Kichenok said with a smile. “But right now, I’m just going to enjoy this amazing moment.”
This Grand Slam title will certainly be a defining moment in Kichenok’s career, one that she will cherish for the rest of her life. As for her postponed wedding, it’s clear that her love for both tennis and her fiancé will continue to flourish, and soon, she’ll be celebrating both her marriage and her first Grand Slam win.