Marta Kostyuk Reveals Missile Destroyed Building Near Parents’ House After Refusing Handshake with Opponent at Roland Garros

Marta Kostyuk got emotional while revealing what happened the morning before her first-round match at the French Open on Sunday (May 24th). Kostyuk unsurprisingly refused to shake hands with her opponent, Russia-born Oksana Selekhmeteva, after her 6-2, 6-3 win. Selekhmeteva recently changed her nationality to Spanish.

Right after shaking her hands with the chair umpire, Kostyuk sat on her bench and appeared to cry as she buried her face in a towel. Then, during the on-court interview, Kostyuk revealed that a missile had struck near her parents’ home in Ukraine.

I’m incredibly proud of myself today. I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 meters from my parents’ house, the missile destroyed the building. It was a very difficult morning. I didn’t know how this match is gonna turn out for me. I didn’t know how I would handle it. I’ve been crying part of the morning. I don’t wanna talk about myself today. I’m very pleased to be in the 2nd round, but all of my thoughts and all my heart goes to the people of Ukraine today.

Kostyuk was then asked why, despite everything that’s happening in Ukraine, it was important for her to play the match.

Because I think it’s important to keep going. My biggest example is Ukrainian people. I woke up in the morning today, and I 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 flags would be here today, and a lot of Ukrainian people would come out and support. My friends from Ukraine came as well. Very happy to have them here. Not much I can say.

Marta Kostyuk added

Kostyuk is enjoying fine form, on an 11-match winning streak, having clinched the Open de Rouen by defeating countrywoman Veronika Podrez and later going past Mirra Andreeva in the Madrid Open final. It was the first time Kostyuk took home a Big Title. She later withdrew from the Italian Open.

Marta Kostyuk will next be locking horns with Katie Volynets

Marta Kostyuk has never reached a Grand Slam final. She is a one-time quarterfinalist at this level, reaching the stage at the 2024 Australian Open. This year in Melbourne, her run ended in the first round after a three-set battle with Elsa Jacquemot.

Prior to her victory in Rouen and Madrid, Kostyuk also reached the final of the Brisbane International, where Aryna Sabalenka denied her the title. At the French Open, Kostyuk has made the fourth round just once, in 2021. Last year, her run ended in the first round, with a straight-set defeat to Sara Bejlek.

In the ongoing event, the Ukrainian ace will next be up against Katie Volynets, who went past Clara Burel in the previous round. The 15th seed could schedule a match against Iga Swiatek if they both progress to the fourth round.

The six-time Grand Slam champion, who will be up against Emerson Jones, is chasing her first title of the season. She, in fact, has not yet reached a final this year. The last time she won a title was at last year’s Korea Open, and she has yet to win another clay-court title since her victory at the 2024 Roland Garros. She had completed a hat-trick by dismantling Jasmine Paolini in the final.

In the quarterfinal, Kostyuk could meet countrywoman Elina Svitolina or Belinda Bencic. In the last four, she could square off against Mirra Andreeva, Karolina Muchova, Paolini, or reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.

Also read: Arthur Fils Opens Up on the Injury That Sidelined Him for Roland Garros