Ukraine's Kostyuk Battles Through Emotional French Open Match After Missile Strike Near Family Home

AI Summary

Marta Kostyuk, the 15th seed at the French Open, won her first-round match just hours after a Russian missile landed close to her parents' house in Ukraine. Kostyuk, 23, described the match as one of the most difficult of her life as she struggled to cope with the emotional toll of the attack.

The Emotional Toll of War

An emotional Marta Kostyuk described her first-round win at the French Open as one of the most difficult matches of her life as she revealed that she had taken to the court hours after a Russian missile landed close to her parents' house in Ukraine.

The Match Details

Kostyuk, the 15th seed in Paris, registered a 6-2, 6-3 win over Oksana Selekhmeteva. Kostyuk hails from Kyiv, where she periodically returns to train between tournaments.

The Human Cost of Conflict

According to reports, four people were killed overnight in Kyiv and approximately 100 people were injured in Ukraine after Russian forces launched a significant wave of drone and missile strikes. Kostyuk struggled to hold back tears during her on-court interview.

Kostyuk's Resolve

"I'm incredibly proud of myself today," Kostyuk said. "I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 metres away from my parents' house [in Ukraine], a missile destroyed the building. It was a very difficult morning for me. I didn't know how this match was going to turn around for me. I didn't know how I would handle it."

The Future Outlook

Kostyuk is one of the in-form players in Paris, having won the biggest title of her career at the WTA 1000 in Rome earlier this month. Her Italian Open title run had been preceded by a title in Rouen, meaning she is now on a 13-match winning streak.