Marta Kostyuk has described her opening win at the French Open as one of the most ‘difficult matches of her career’ amid a massive missile strike on her home country on the same day.
The 15th seed dropped only five games during her 6-2, 6-3 win over Oksana Selekhmeteva, who has previously represented Russia on the Tour but now plays for Spain. Throughout the 81-minute encounter, Kostyuk hit 20 winners compared to only four from her opponent. Although she was broken three times.
Speaking afterwards, an emotional Kostyuk revealed that she experienced a ‘difficult morning’ following a Russian missile strike on her country, Ukraine, with one of the missiles landing 100 meters from her parents’ house. At least four people were killed and dozens were injured in the attack, which mainly targeted the capital Kyiv, as well as other areas of the country.
“I’m incredibly proud of myself today. I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career,” Kostyuk said during her on-court interview.
“This morning, 100 meters from my parents’ house, a missile destroyed the building. It was a very difficult morning.
“I didn’t know how this match was gonna turn out for me. I didn’t know how I would handle it. I’ve been crying for part of the morning.”
Russian and Belarusian players are currently permitted to play on the Tour only as neutral athletes due to the ongoing war. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and thousands of people have been killed. It is the deadliest in Europe since World War two, according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
“I don’t wanna talk about myself today,” Kostyuk continued.
“I’m very pleased to be in the second round, but all of my thoughts and all my heart goes to the people of Ukraine today.
“I think it’s important to keep going. My biggest example is the Ukrainian people. I woke up in the morning today and I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their lives, kept helping people who are in need.”
Amid the ongoing conflict in her home country, Kostyuk is currently enjoying her longest winning streak on the Tour. She has now won 12 matches in a row, claiming back-to-back titles in Rouen and Madrid.
Kostyuk, who is the only player undefeated on clay this season on the WTA Tour, will next play either Katie Volynets or Clara Burel.
