This tennis player was supposed to be at her wedding. But winning the US Open women’s doubles title changed her plans

Lyudmyla Kichenok's plans to combine her US Open appearance with her wedding to Stas Kumarsky were altered when she and her doubles partner, Jelena Ostapenko, triumphed in the women's doubles tournament. Originally, Kichenok aimed to conclude her time at the grand slam with a wedding on the second week's Wednesday. However, their continued success steered them away from their initial schedule.

The dynamic duo won the US Open women's doubles title on Friday, besting Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This grand slam victory, Kichenok's first, disrupted her previously arranged wedding plans, initially set by Kumarsky—who is also Ostapenko’s coach—two days before the final match. Her achievements on court led to rescheduling.

Kichenok shared the journey on court after the title win, explaining that upon arrival in New York, her fiancé checked out marriage venues, and they secured a date for the subsequent Wednesday. Ready to undergo the procedure, they then faced a timing conflict due to the semifinals scheduled for that same day. Kichenok jested that their wedding will have to wait until a future date, possibly "in Las Vegas or somewhere in Europe."

Dominating throughout the tournament, they did not lose a set, securing their third title of the year. Dedicated to the Ukrainian cause, Kichenok emphasized support for those fighting for freedom in Ukraine, hoping their victory uplifts her country. "My heart is with them," she affirmed.

Earlier, SSP wrote that a boxing legend Demetrious Johnson announced retirement.