Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk won “one of the most difficult matches” in her career as she advanced at the French Open hours after a missile strike narrowly missed her parents’ home.
Russia launched a wave of strikes overnight, killing four people in Kostyuk’s native Kyiv and injuring at least 83 people across Ukraine.
The 15th seed gave an emotional on-court interview after she won her opening-round match at Roland-Garros, beating Russian-born Oksana Selekhmeteva, who now represents Spain, 6-2 6-3.
Kostyuk teared up and was warmly applauded by the crowd on Court Simonne-Mathieu as she 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 for me or how I would handle it. I have been crying this morning. I don’t want to talk about myself today.
“All my heart and all my thoughts go to the people of Ukraine today. My biggest example is the Ukrainian people.”
The 23-year-old did not shake Selekhmeteva’s hand after the match as is customary, following precedent among Ukrainian players to not shake the hands of Russian or Belarusian opponents since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Selekhmeteva changed her allegiance to Spain earlier this week.
Kostyuk continued: “I woke up this morning and looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their lives, kept helping people who are in need.
“I knew a lot of Ukrainian people would come out and support today. My friends from Ukraine came to support and I’m very happy to have them here.
“I’m incredibly proud of myself. I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career.”
Having recently been crowned Madrid Open champion – her maiden title at WTA 1000 level – Kostyuk is one of the WTA Tour’s form players.
The world No 15 is among many contenders for the title in Paris after an unbeaten run on clay so far this season, which also includes the Rouen Open title.
She will play Katie Volynets of the USA, who beat France’s Clara Burel, in the second round.
