Marta Kostyuk Reveals Problems Her Parents Faced in Ukraine Due to War After Scripting History at Roland Garros: “It Was Terrible”

In an all-Ukrainian quarterfinal at the French Open, Marta Kostyuk clinched a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 win over compatriot Elina Svitolina to become the first player from her country to reach the semifinals of the clay-court Major. Kostyuk, in fact, will be playing in the semifinal of a Major for the first time in her career.

The win helped Kostyuk improve her head-to-head record over her countrywoman to 2-1. Later at the press conference, Kostyuk was asked how she follows news from Ukraine, to which she said she has all news notifications turned off because knowing and not knowing about the situation there wouldn’t solve the problems.

She said all she can do is check on her family and talk about the sufferings of the people back home in press conferences. Kostyuk was then asked about the problems currently occurring in Ukraine.

I do not know the statistics, but right now, I think there are no problems with electricity. Normally, it is a big issue in winter; sometimes my parents were left without power for two or three days; it was terrible considering it was -20 degrees outside. It was a big problem for many people, but now they are better because there are no issues with electricity.

Kostyuk, after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Brisbane International earlier this year, revealed that her sister was “sleeping under three blankets” after Russian strikes caused blackouts.

I’m sure there is still internet, even if there is no electricity, so people are prepared after four years. You know, they know they have to charge all the phones, all the computers before the night because you never know how the light will be in the morning. 

Marta Kostyuk added

Kostyuk also criticized the Russian players for choosing to remain silent and not condemn the war and the government, as well as not having a clear stance, “especially when your country is killing other people.”

Marta Kostyuk is on a 17-match winning streak

The last time Marta Kostyuk lost a match was at the hands of Elena Rybakina in the third round of the Miami Open. And since then, the 23-year-old lifted the Open de Rouen and the Madrid Open by defeating Veronika Podrez and Mirra Andreeva, respectively. Kostyuk is on a 17-match winning streak (her career’s best).

Yeah, for sure. It’s a great feeling. Obviously, I don’t think about the streak as I say every day. Didn’t change. I’m very happy to be in the semifinals and excited for the next match.

Marta Kostyuk said at the press conference

It’s Andreeva whom the Ukrainian will be facing next. The Russian teenager breezed past retirement-bound Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3 in the previous round.

Andreeva will be playing a Grand Slam semifinal for the second time in her career. It was in Paris back in 2024 that the 19-year-old made the last four.

Kostyuk holds a 2-0 head-to-head lead over Andreeva, defeating her in the quarterfinals of this year’s Brisbane International and the final of the Madrid Open. While Kostyuk has claimed one Big Title, Andreeva is the winner of two titles at this level (last year’s Dubai Tennis Championships and the Indian Wells Open).

The winner of the semifinal match will lock horns with Aryna Sabalenka, Diana Shnaider, Anna Kalinskaya, or Maja Chwalinska. Sabalenka is last year’s runner-up, losing the final to Coco Gauff, who crashed out with a third-round defeat to Anastasia Potapova. From these quarterfinalists, the only player who has tasted success in Majors is the Belarusian, the winner of four Grand Slam singles titles, last winning at the 2025 US Open.

Also read: Maja Chwalinska Stays Humble Despite Roland Garros Quarterfinal Run: “I Am Still the Player with Lowest Ranking”