French Open 2026: Marta Kostyuk Dedicates Victory to Ukraine Amid Russian Strikes Marta Kostyuk, the 15th-seeded Ukrainian player, secured a hard-fought first-round victory at the French Open, defeating Russian-born opponent Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2 6-3. The win came just days after Russian airstrikes targeted Kyiv, where Kostyuk’s family home narrowly avoided damage. Speaking after the match, Kostyuk expressed deep emotional turmoil, dedicating her success to the people of Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict. The attacks, which occurred the night before her match, left four people dead and over 100 injured in Kyiv and surrounding areas. Kostyuk revealed that none of her family or close friends were harmed, but the proximity of the strikes left her shaken. “Most of the morning I felt sick because I thought if it was 100 meters closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mum and a sister today,” she said. The player described the experience as “one of the most difficult matches” of her career, struggling to balance her emotions with the demands of competition. Despite the trauma, Kostyuk chose to remain in the tournament, stating, “Not this morning, because everyone is healthy, alive, and never [needed to go] in the hospital.” She acknowledged that the memory of the attacks lingered during the match, forcing her to confront her fears on the court. “There were obviously times in the match when I would go back to thinking about it,” she admitted. Kostyuk, a vocal critic of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, has consistently used her platform to support her homeland. During her on-court interview, she addressed the crowd, saying, “I have been crying this morning. I don’t want to talk about myself today. All my heart and all my thoughts go to the people of Ukraine today.#oksana_selekhmeteva #kyiv #martakostyuk #french_open_2026 #russian_airstrikes
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
Marta Kostyuk Withdraws from Italian Open Due to Hip and Ankle Issues Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine withdrew from the Italian Open on Tuesday, citing hip and ankle injuries after securing titles at the Madrid Open and Rouen tournament. The decision came as the Italian Open began, with Kostyuk explaining that her body was not ready to compete. She is currently ranked No. 15 in the world following her Madrid victory, which marked her second clay-court title of the year. Kostyuk, who had also won the Rouen title in France the week before Madrid, is on an 11-match winning streak. In a post on her Instagram account, she stated that she had hoped to compete in Rome but was forced to withdraw due to ongoing physical issues. “After the best stretch of my career, I was looking forward to Rome. But sometimes your body has other plans,” she wrote. “Over the past few days, I’ve been dealing with a hip issue, and with my ankle still not fully at 100%, it’s just not smart to keep pushing right now.” The Ukrainian player emphasized that her focus would now shift to recovery and preparation for the French Open, which starts on May 24. She mentioned that her ankle, which had been recovering from a previous injury, was still not fully healed. Kostyuk’s withdrawal from the Italian Open highlights the challenges of maintaining peak performance while managing physical health. Her recent titles in Madrid and Rouen have positioned her as a strong contender for the French Open, but her decision to step back underscores the importance of prioritizing long-term fitness. Kostyuk’s Instagram post reflected her determination to return to competition, stating, “Now it’s time to recover and get ready for Paris.#french_open #italian_open #madrid_open #martakostyuk #rouen_tournament
