Full Breakdown
Marta Kostyuk Plays Through Personal Turmoil at French Open
5/25/2026, 8:19:31 AM
Core Event
On May 24, 2026, Ukrainian No. 15 seed Marta Kostyuk opened the French Open on Court Simonne-Mathieu against Russian-born Oksana Selekhmeteva, now representing Spain. Kostyuk won 6-2, 6-3, advancing to the second round while visibly emotional after learning that a Russian missile strike had hit a building only 100 metres from her parents’ home in Kyiv earlier that morning.
Match Details and Attack Impact
The victory marked Kostyuk’s 12-13th consecutive clay win after titles at the WTA 250 Open de Rouen and the WTA 1000 Madrid Open. She received a photo of the Kyiv damage at 8 a.m., noting her mother, sister and great-aunt were inside but unharmed. Ukrainian officials said four people were killed and 83-100 injured; other reports cited about 100 injuries and mention 90 missiles and 600 drones. Discrepancies in casualty figures appear across sources.
Why It Matters
Kostyuk’s decision to compete underscores the psychological strain athletes from conflict zones face and highlights the ongoing visibility of the Ukraine war on the global sports stage. Her performance, described as one of the “top three worst” moments of the war for her personally, serves as a reminder that professional competition can intersect with personal trauma, influencing public awareness of the conflict.
Official Statements & Responses
Kostyuk told reporters she felt “sick” thinking the missile could have been closer, but chose to play because her family was safe and she wanted to honor Ukrainian resilience. She said her thoughts were with the Ukrainian people. She also noted that early in the war the tennis community organized fundraisers, but she feels the tour has largely moved on from the conflict, prompting her to keep using her platform to remind others of the war’s daily reality.
Criticism & Opposition
Kostyuk observed that the WTA Tour’s attention to the war has waned, suggesting a perceived neglect of ongoing humanitarian concerns. She also maintained her practice of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents, refusing to do so with Selekhmeteva, a stance shared by many Ukrainian players since the 2022 invasion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m incredibly proud of myself today.” — Marta Kostyuk, Ukrainian tennis player
- “If it was 100 meters closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mom and a sister today.” — Marta Kostyuk
- “All my thoughts and all my heart was to the people of Ukraine today.” — Marta Kostyuk
- “I think people on the tour have adapted and moved on,” she said.” — Marta Kostyuk
What’s Next
Kostyuk’s next opponent is American Katie Volynets, who defeated Frenchwoman Clara Burel 6-3, 6-1 in the first round. The match will determine whether Kostyuk can extend her clay-court streak deeper into the tournament.
