Marta Kostyuk considered quitting tennis after an exhibition match loss to Elina Svitolina in India last December. She told her coach, Sandra Zaniewska, that she would consider quitting if she didn’t improve. Kostyuk felt she had reached “rock bottom”.
Kostyuk’s Difficult Period
Kostyuk said she felt like she was shedding her skin and dealing with deep emotional issues. She explained it felt like she had been dealing with this shedding for the past four years. Kostyuk felt like she had tried everything.
Five months later, Kostyuk is in a different place. She won the Rouen Open and then the Madrid Open, a WTA 1000 event. This trebled her career total of WTA titles.
French Open Success
After skipping the Italian Open to avoid aggravating a leg issue, Kostyuk arrived at the French Open on an 11-match winning streak as the world No. 15. Before her match against Oksana Selekhmeteva, a missile struck near Kostyuk’s parents’ home in Kyiv. Kostyuk still managed a 6-2, 6-3 win over Selekhmeteva.
“I’m incredibly proud of myself today,” Kostyuk said during her on-court interview.
- A missile struck near Kostyuk’s parents’ home in Kyiv before her match.
- Kostyuk won the Rouen Open and the Madrid Open.
- She had an 11-match winning streak entering the French Open.
Victory Over Świątek
Kostyuk reached the French Open quarterfinals. She ousted four-time champion Iga Świątek with a 7-5, 6-1 win on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Kostyuk’s path has not been straightforward. Following that “rock bottom” at the end of 2025, Kostyuk’