Marta Kostyuk’s Coach in Hot Water at Roland Garros After Surprising Connection With Aryna Sabalenka’s Brand

Marta Kostyuk, since her first-round match at Roland Garros, has been talking about what people back home in Ukraine are suffering due to the war. Kostyuk broke down in tears after her first-round match because she had heard the morning that day about the bombing of a building close to her parents’ house.

Kostyuk also talked a lot about the latest Russian missile strikes in Ukraine at the press conference after her quarterfinal win over countrywoman Elina Svitolina. She criticized the Russian and the Belarusian players for not making their stance clear on the war.

But her coach, Sandra Zaniewska, found herself on the receiving end of criticism from some fans after it came to light that she wore a cap associated with Aryna Sabalenka. Kostyuk has stopped shaking hands with Sabalenka because of the Ukrainian players’ no-handshake stance since 2022. Sabalenka, however, has repeatedly said she opposes the war, yet she was recently alleged to have liked a post praising Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zaniewska, during a media interaction, wore an IM8 cap co-founded by soccer great David Beckham. Sabalenka is a global brand ambassador for the company and is also a shareholder.

Marta Kostyuk's coach Sandra Zaniewska wearing an IM8 cap, a company of which Aryna Sabalenka is the the global ambassador and a shareholder pic.twitter.com/dGg3R1im9p

— strawberry (@alfaraoulah) June 1, 2026

Zaniewska, during her recent interview with Roland Garros, said that even though she doesn’t fully understand what Kostyuk is going through because of the war back home, she tries to lighten the youngster’s mood so she can focus on her matches.

I always say that I don’t experience what she’s going through. I’m not there to give advice or pretend to understand. I start from the premise that I don’t understand. I can only be by her side and tell her that I support her, that’s all I told her, ‘I’m here,’ that’s all. Of course, she’s thinking about it. I tried to make her laugh a little, to lighten the mood.

Zaniewska joined Kostyuk’s team in July 2023. Under the Polish coach, the 23-year-old won her career’s first Big Title in this year’s Madrid Open by defeating Mirra Andreeva and also made the semifinals of the French Open. Kostyuk also reached her career-best ranking of No.15 under Zaniewska.

Marta Kostyuk will play Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals

Marta Kostyuk will next be locking horns with Mirra Andreeva, against whom she holds a 2-0 head-to-head record, defeating her in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International and the final of the Madrid Open. Prior to scheduling the match against Kostyuk, the Russian ace knocked out Sorana Cirstea.

The teenager will be playing in the semifinals of the French Open for the second time. It was here back in 2024 that Andreeva reached her career’s first Grand Slam semifinal.

I am happy to be back in the semifinals; now I will try to keep using the same mentality: give my best, give 100% no matter what happens. I feel it is easier for me to play when I have that mentality. I feel that this year here in Paris the audience was not really against me, so it was easier. If it were to happen again, it would be a bit easier to handle because I already know what happened last year; I know how I felt and what was pressuring me.

Mirra Andreeva said at the press conference

While Kostyuk has one Big Title to her name, Andreeva lifted last year’s Dubai Tennis Championships and the Indian Wells Open. Kostyuk, who has now become the first Ukrainian to reach the semifinal of the Roland Garros, will also be playing in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time. Both players have lifted two titles each from three finals this year.

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