Marta Kostyuk is of the opinion that the tennis community has overlooked the ongoing war in Ukraine. She is optimistic that the recent achievements of Ukrainian female players at the Australian Open will bring more awareness to this issue. This was exemplified by her reaching the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time in her career.
Kostyuk expressed her hopes that the current situation is resolved, as it appears to be for many individuals. She noted the remarkable event of Ukraine avoiding capture in three days, including in Kyiv. It was a miraculous occurrence, but she believes it is no longer necessary to dwell on it. She wishes for the Ukrainian women to continue their efforts and serve as a reminder whenever possible.
Kostyuk showed promising progress in her career on Sunday, defeating Maria Timofeeva of Russia 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth round. As a 15-year-old qualifier, Kostyuk gained attention as one of the top young players in her generation when she reached the third round of the Australian Open. With her impressive athleticism, diverse skills, and powerful groundstrokes, it was clear that she had the potential to make a significant impact in the future.
At 21 years old and holding the No. 35 spot, Kostyuk’s progress has been slower than expected. However, despite facing challenges, she has remained determined to continue moving forward. Outside of tennis, Kostyuk has always been open and honest in her communication, but the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has prompted her to become one of the most outspoken and vocal advocates for peace in the sport.
Kostyuk stated that the war continues to persist and people are still losing their lives on a daily basis. They are puzzled by the presence of various individuals in their surroundings as their world remains unchanged. They believe that many efforts are being made to reach a point where the issue is forgotten due to people becoming desensitized to it. While acknowledging that everyone has their own problems and priorities, Kostyuk sees it as their responsibility to constantly remind others that the war is ongoing and needs to be put to an end. They deem the situation as abnormal and unacceptable.
Although the players have faced difficult times in their personal lives, this has been a remarkable era for Ukrainian tennis on the court. A record-breaking seven women participated in the main draw of the Australian Open this week, with three being seeded. This marks the first time in the tournament’s history that three Ukrainian women have advanced to the second week.
When questioned about their success in the midst of challenging times, Kostyuk attributed it to the limitless potential of human beings to handle stress and other obstacles. She also acknowledged that while it was a tough experience for her, it allowed her to mature and develop as an individual. The unexpected events that occurred played a significant role in her personal growth.
Without the experience of war, I believe I would not have grown as much as I have in the past two years. It’s all about perspective and how one approaches challenges. While there may be difficult situations, viewing them as a burden or comparing oneself to others can lead to feeling like a victim. This is a natural feeling that everyone experiences at times, but minimizing it can make life easier to navigate.
Following Kostyuk’s win, Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska will face off on Monday for a chance to advance to the quarter-finals. Kostyuk expressed her pride in her and her fellow players for persevering, not losing hope, and continuing to fight for their rights and the rights of others. She believes this demonstrates the strength of the Ukrainian people.
Kostyuk, an unseeded player, will square off against Coco Gauff in the next round as they both vie for a spot in the semi-finals. Gauff, seeded fourth, continued her dominant performance in the tournament by defeating Magdalena Frech with a score of 6-1, 6-2.
Mirra Andreeva’s rousing second week run came to an end on Sunday night as the 16-year-old was outlasted 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 by Barbora Krejcikova, the ninth seed. Andreeva started well, her defence, guile and variety frustrating Krejcikova throughout the opening set, but the former French Open champion gradually took control with her excellent serve and forehand.
Andreeva expressed, “This trip has brought a lot of positive outcomes. My previous match was exceptional as I was able to defeat my idol. Overall, there are many positive things to take away from this trip, including today’s match.”
Earlier today, Aryna Sabalenka, the second seeded player and defending champion, extended her dominant performance in the tournament by beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-2. Krejcikova and Sabalenka will compete for a place in the semi-finals.
