Marta Kostyuk’s first-round victory at the French Open became one of the most challenging matches of her career after she learned that a missile had narrowly missed her parents' home in Ukraine earlier that day.
Emotional Win on Court Simonne-Mathieu
The 15th-seeded Ukrainian fought back tears following her 6-2, 6-3 win over Oksana Selekhmeteva on the opening day of the clay-court Grand Slam at Roland Garros in Paris. "I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career," Kostyuk said. "This morning, 100 meters away from my parents’ house, the missile destroyed the building and it was a very difficult morning for me. I didn’t know how I would handle it; I’ve been crying part of the morning."
She received a distressing message at 8 a.m. and could not stop thinking about what might have happened. "I felt sick," she admitted. "If it was 100 meters closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mom and a sister today."
Her mother, sister, and great aunt were among 17 people in the house at the time of the strike. Fortunately, no one was injured, and Kostyuk expressed enormous relief. "I don’t want to think what I would do if something worse happened, but I knew that this is the day to go out and play," she said. "It didn’t cross my mind today that I shouldn’t go out, because, at the end of the day, everyone is alive."
Drawing Strength from Ukrainian People
After the match, Kostyuk thanked the fans and received a warm ovation. She explained how she found the emotional and mental resources to compete. "I think it’s important to keep going. My biggest example is Ukrainian people," the 23-year-old said, becoming tearful. "I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their life, 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 to support. My friends from Ukraine came as well."
Kostyuk will next face unseeded American Katie Volynets. Fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, a recent winner at the Italian Open in Rome, takes on Anna Bondar on Monday.
Djokovic and Other Matches
In Sunday's night match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, three-time champion Novak Djokovic faced Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Djokovic, now 39, played in a men's record 82nd Grand Slam tournament.
Heat Challenges Players
High temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) affected play. Frenchman Arthur Gea took an emergency bathroom break early in his first-round loss to No. 13 Karen Khachanov on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. Spectators folded newspapers to fan themselves as players struggled to stay hydrated.
Canadian Gabriel Diallo retired against Australian James Duckworth after losing the first set 6-3 and trailing 4-1 in the second, citing the heat as the main reason. "That’s mainly what it was," he said. "It was getting worse and worse."
No. 21 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina also struggled with the conditions. "I am coming from Hamburg with 10 degrees, and it’s 22 degrees more," the Spaniard said after beating Damir Dzumhur 6-7 (3), 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3. "I didn’t expect that."
The opening match on Chatrier saw No. 11 Belinda Bencic defeat Sinja Kraus 6-2, 6-3. 2024 runner-up Alexander Zverev, seeded No. 2, won 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 against Benjamin Bonzi.
Other Results
Former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu and former French Open runners-up Sloane Stephens and Sofia Kenin all exited the tournament. No. 26 Hailey Baptiste won 6-7 (7), 7-6 (6), 6-2 against 2021 champion Barbora Krejčíková. Baptiste will play women's doubles alongside American Venus Williams. No. 21 Clara Tauson lost, while No. 27 Marie Bouzkova and No. 32 Wang Xinyu advanced to the second round.
In men's first-round play, No. 23 Tomas Etcheverry lost to Nuno Borges, but No. 26 Jakub Mensik and No. 28 João Fonseca progressed.
