Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk described her first-round victory at the French Open as “one of the most difficult matches” of her career after a missile strike narrowly missed her parents’ home in Kyiv. Russia launched a wave of overnight strikes, killing four people and injuring at least 83 across Ukraine.
The 15th seed defeated Russian-born Oksana Selekhmeteva, who now represents Spain, 6-2 6-3 at Roland-Garros. In an emotional on-court interview, Kostyuk said: “This morning, 100 metres away from my parent's house, a missile destroyed the building. It was a very difficult morning for me, I didn't know how this match would turn out.”
Kostyuk, 23, did not shake hands with her opponent, continuing the practice among Ukrainian players of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian opponents since the 2022 invasion. She added: “All my heart and all my thoughts go to the people of Ukraine today. My biggest example is the Ukrainian people.”
The world No 15, who recently won the Madrid Open, is among the form players on clay this season. She will face American Katie Volynets in the second round.
