Marta Kostyuk Voices Safety Concerns After Zeynep Sonmez’s Injury at Roland Garros

Zeynep Sonmez retired after falling from dangerous court banners.

Marta Kostyuk Voices Safety Concerns After Zeynep Sonmez’s Injury at Roland Garros

Marta Kostyuk (via The Tennis Letter)

In Short
  • Marta Kostyuk raised safety concerns regarding courtside advertising boards at Roland Garros after Zeynep Sonmez's injury.
  • The incident has reignited discussions about player safety on outer courts, with multiple injuries reported this tournament.
  • Kostyuk emphasized the need for better safety standards, highlighting the risks posed by man-made obstacles during high-speed rallies.

Ukrainian star Marta Kostyuk expressed sympathy for Zeynep Sonmez and highlighted ongoing safety issues with courtside advertising boards at the 2026 French Open. This came after the Turkish player’s painful retirement from her doubles match after tripping over a billboard.

The incident has sparked fresh debate about player safety on the outer courts at Roland Garros, where protruding sponsor signage has caused multiple scares this tournament. Kostyuk, who is riding a strong clay-court streak, shared her own experiences navigating these hazards while preparing to face world No. 3 Iga Swiatek in the fourth round.

Yeah, I witnessed two injuries like this before, which was Goffin, here. Also Flipkens in Abu Dhabi. I was watching this match and she also like stepped on this thing. Yeah it’s terrible…Reilly Opelka was practicing. He was standing on this thing as he was returning serves on the practice. We were looking at it and I was like ‘this doesn’t look good.’ It’s really dangerous. I’m obviously very sorry for Zeynep. Hopefully it’s nothing very serious. But it happened few times. I try to be very careful with this…No matter how much you speak about it and fight over it, it’s just the rules. I don’t know. I cannot say.

She recounted witnessing similar injuries before, including David Goffin at Roland Garros and Kirsten Flipkens in Abu Dhabi. Kostyuk also mentioned a practice incident involving Reilly Opelka and admitted to her own close call in a recent match where she let a deep lob go rather than risk injury.

Her words carry weight because she’s not just commenting from the sidelines, but she’s actively competing at a high level on clay. After claiming titles in Madrid and Rouen, Kostyuk entered Paris on a 15-match winning streak on the surface, underscoring her current form and tactical maturity.

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Broader context of safety issues at Roland Garros 2026

This French Open has been particularly plagued by physical setbacks. Alexander Blockx retired due to a court cover issue, and other players have dealt with heat-related issues and various twists. The advertising boards stand out because they feel preventable. Unlike natural court hazards, these are man-made additions for visibility and sponsorship.

Jakub Mensik
Jakub Mensik (via Punto de Break)

Sonmez herself took to social media after the match, noting she left with stitches and a bruised knee, questioning whether organizers need to wait for a more severe injury before making changes. Her vulnerability resonated, amplifying calls from the wider tennis world.

Kostyuk’s reference to past events highlights a pattern. Thanasi Kokkinakis suffered a serious kneecap fracture years ago in a similar back-court incident, yet improvements seem slow. Players learn to adapt by playing more conservatively, but that alters the spirit of the game. Aggressive chasing and athleticism are what fans love to see.

Why this matters for players and the sport

Player safety should never be compromised for commercial reasons, yet these boards create unnecessary obstacles in high-speed rallies, especially on clay, where footing can already be tricky. Marta Kostyuk‘s comments bring a seasoned perspective to the issue, coming from someone who has dealt with injuries herself, including a notable ankle ligament tear at the Australian Open earlier in 2026.

Marta Kostyuk
Marta Kostyuk (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

In tennis, where careers can hinge on a single bad step, repeated incidents like this erode trust in tournament setups. Fans and players alike are calling for better standards, with some even suggesting legal accountability if organizers fail to act.

Despite the distractions, Kostyuk has stayed focused. She defeated Viktorija Golubic 6-4, 6-3 to reach the last 16, showcasing clean ball-striking and improved movement. Her Madrid triumph earlier this season marked a breakthrough, proving she can dominate on clay against strong fields.

Now she faces the ultimate test in Iga Swiatek. The Polish star, a four-time Roland Garros champion, advanced with a solid win over Magda Linette. Swiatek leads the head-to-head 3-0 against Kostyuk and remains the heavy favorite, but the Ukrainian enters with momentum and a positive mindset.

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka Shares Heartfelt Reaction to Jannik Sinner’s Stunning Roland Garros Defeat