Story perspectives

Kostyuk Wins French Open Match After Nearby Missile Strike

5/25/2026

Summary

Kostyuk Triumphs

Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine’s 15th seed, beat Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 in the French Open first round on May 24, 2026.
She learned at 8 a.m. that a missile strike had destroyed a building 100 m from her parents’ home while her mother, sister, great-aunt and 14 relatives were inside but unharmed.
She fought back tears, thanked the crowd and received an ovation, saying Ukrainian resilience inspired her to keep playing.

Summary

Kostyuk Protests

She refused to shake hands with Oksana Selekhmeteva, who switched to Spain, and noted WTA forces Belarusian players like Aryna Sabalenka to play without a flag.
Ukrainian tennis player Kostyuk said war fundraisers for Ukraine faded, the tour has moved on, and she keeps using her platform to remind people of everyday horrors in Ukraine.
She entered Roland Garros on a winning streak after winning the Open de Rouen and Madrid Open.

Summary

Kostyuk Survives

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Oreshnik hypersonic missile used near Kostyuk’s parents’ home was among Kyiv’s largest drone-missile offensives, killing four, injuring at least 83, and damaging schools and infrastructure.
A residential building 100 metres from Kostyuk’s family was destroyed, leaving all 17 relatives inside unharmed.
After being booed at Roland-Garros in 2023 for ignoring Aryna Sabalenka, Kostyuk’s earlier Rome tournament withdrawal lifted her to a career-high ranking before Paris.

History

Historical Context

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 triggered massive global protests and casualties and displaced about 8 million Ukrainians. The conflict’s lingering trauma has seeped into sport, evident when Ukrainian-born Marta Kostyuk competed at the 2026 French Open amid missile alerts. The episode shows how the war continues to shape athletes’ platforms.

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Kostyuk Triumphs

Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine’s 15th seed, beat Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 in the French Open first round on May 24, 2026.
She learned at 8 a.m. that a missile strike had destroyed a building 100 m from her parents’ home while her mother, sister, great-aunt and 14 relatives were inside but unharmed.
She fought back tears, thanked the crowd and received an ovation, saying Ukrainian resilience inspired her to keep playing.

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