Marta Kostyuk issues statement after withdrawing from the Italian Open Marta Kostyuk’s hopes of capturing a second consecutive WTA 1000 title have been ended, as the Ukrainian star withdrew from the Italian Open following a hip injury. The 23-year-old, who recently secured her first WTA 1000 title by defeating Mirra Andreeva in the Madrid Open final, posted an emotional Instagram message following her victory, calling the achievement a “dream come true.” Her triumph in Madrid marked a career milestone, propelling her to a career-high world ranking of 15. Kostyuk’s withdrawal from the Italian Open came just days after her Madrid success, with the tournament scheduled to take place from May 17 to 23. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she explained that her body had “other plans” and that she was dealing with a hip issue. She also mentioned that her ankle, which had not fully recovered from a previous injury, made it “not smart to keep pushing” at this stage. The decision to skip the Italian Open was particularly difficult for Kostyuk, as the event holds sentimental value for her. She highlighted the “special place” Rome holds in her career, citing the fans, the atmosphere, and the food as reasons for her attachment to the tournament. Despite the setback, Kostyuk expressed optimism about her future, stating that her focus is now on the French Open. She hinted at her intentions during a press conference in Madrid, where she mentioned that Roland Garros, which begins on May 24, was “in three weeks” but had not yet been her primary focus. She emphasized the importance of recovery, noting that the Strasbourg Open, which runs from May 17 to 23, would be her next challenge before the French Open. Her comments suggest a strategic approach to her season, balancing immediate health concerns with long-term goals.#martakostyuk #italianopen #madridopen #frenchopen #rolandgarros
