by Marta Kostyuk believes tennis has forgotten the war in Ukraine and hopes the Ukrainian women’s success at the Australian Open will focus further attention on the issue as she reached the quarter-finals of a grand slam tournament for the first time career. .
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“I hope so because it seems like it’s over for a lot of people,” Kostyuk said. “Something incredible happened. Ukraine managed not to be [captured] in three days, in Kyiv as well. So it was like every miracle. I guess it’s not a miracle anymore, so why talk about it? Yes, I hope the [Ukrainian] girls can keep doing what they’re doing and remember as much as possible.”
On Sunday Kostyuk took a long-awaited step forward in her career as she defeated top-ranked Maria Timofeeva of Russia 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth round. Kostyuk was one of the most influential young players of her generation after reaching the third round of the Australian Open as a 15-year-old qualifier. Between her great athleticism, her versatility and her talented ground strokes, her talent suggested that she was destined to run deeper one day.
Now 21 and ranked No. 35, Kostyuk’s rise has been more gradual than she would have expected, but despite various difficulties she is still moving forward. Off the court, Kostyuk has been an outspoken speaker since childhood, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made him one of the most outspoken and vocal players on the subject of war.
“The war is still there,” Kostyuk said. “People are still dying every day. I still don’t understand what all these players are doing here. Nothing really changes in my world. I think in general there’s a lot of process happening to get to this point where people forget about it because, yeah, people get used to it. I understand that everyone has their own issues, and everyone is focused on what they have. I think I’m here to remind everyone all the time that it’s still going on, and it should be stopped. It’s not usually happening.”
Despite the players living through such a traumatic period in their daily lives, on the court this was one of the greatest periods of Ukrainian tennis experience. A record seven women competed in the main draw of the Australian Open this week, with three seeded players. For the first time in the history of the Australian Open, three women from Ukraine have reached the second week of the tournament.
When asked why she and her teammates were able to succeed on the court during such a difficult time, Kostyuk said: “I think it shows that there is no limit to human possibilities despite the stress and surroundings. For me personally, it was very difficult, but at the same time I have grown a lot as a person. The strangest things that happened, they helped me grow so quickly.”
“If there had never been a war in my life, I don’t think I would have been able to grow as much as I have in the last two years. I do not know. I think it’s about the attitude, how you take it, because there are different things that are happening. But I think if you take them as a burden or, like, ‘Oh, why is it happening to me and it’s not happening to other people,’ or if you victimize yourself, I think that’s normal it. I think everyone goes through this kind of feeling from time to time… I think the more you can minimize this feeling of being a victim, the easier it is to get through life.”
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After Kostyuk’s win, Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska will compete for a place in the quarter-finals on Monday. “Very proud of all of us, honestly, for standing that long and not losing faith and still fighting and fighting for our rights and basically fighting for everybody,” Kostyuk said. “I don’t know. I think it shows how strong the Ukrainian people are.”
Kostyuk, who is unseeded, will face another Coco Gauff with both players competing for a place in the semi-finals. Gauff, the fourth seed, continued to roll through the draw as she eased past Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2.
Mirra Andreeva’s blistering second week run came to an end on Sunday night when ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova knocked out the 16-year-old 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Andreeva started well, her defense, brilliance and variety frustrating Krejcikova in the opening set, but the former French Open champion gradually took over with her excellent serve and forehand.
“There are a lot of positives to take from this trip,” Andreeva said. “My last game was really great. I have met my idol here. Yes, a lot of positives to take from this trip and from today’s game as well.”
Earlier on Sunday, second seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive run through the draw by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-2. Krejcikova and Sabalenka will battle for a place in the semi-finals.
