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
