PARIS — Marta Kostyuk will make historical past on Thursday by changing into the primary Ukrainian girl to succeed in the semifinals of the French Open. A teenage prodigy who reached the third spherical of the Australian Open at simply 15 years previous, she struggled with stress for years. However after profitable titles in Rouen and Madrid this 12 months, she is going to face Russia’s Mila Andreeva for her seventeenth straight victory on clay. Here is how she turned a contender for sports activities’ largest prize.
free your self from expectations
Kostyuk confirmed unimaginable expertise as a junior. She turned the second-youngest participant in historical past to win the Junior Australian Open title on the age of 14, qualifying for the primary occasion in Melbourne the next 12 months and reaching the third spherical, catapulting her onto the world stage.
On the age of 15, the expectations had been immense and, understandably, it was troublesome to deal with them. It took virtually three years earlier than she received her subsequent Grand Slam match. And she or he struggled at main tournaments generally, not making it previous the fourth spherical till the 2024 Australian Open, the place she reached the ultimate, however this 12 months’s Roland Garros was her solely quarterfinal look.
In 2026, she mentioned she gave herself some respiration house. “I take pleasure in it extra as a result of I simply discover ways to make factors, cope with challenges and survive troublesome conditions within the match,” she mentioned. “I’m very comfortable as a result of I’ve finished properly.”
Like many younger athletes, Kostyuk’s mom performed a giant function in her growth. Former skilled Talina Beiko, who performed for Ukraine within the Fed Cup, led Marta to the skilled ranks. However navigating the high-quality line between coach and mom was by no means straightforward, and Kostyuk generally fearful about what her mom would consider her efficiency.
In August 2023, she determined to carve a brand new path. She employed Sandra Zaniewska, a former professional from Poland, and collectively they labored on enhancing her consistency and dealing on her psychological sport. Zaniewska was affected person and understanding, specializing in “each piece of the puzzle” and letting her know that she was 100% behind on every little thing.
“I believe she deserves all of the credit score as a result of she actually put her soul into this work with me,” Kostyuk mentioned this week. “She’s modified me loads as an individual. We have grown collectively on this working relationship. Definitely, I positively would not be right here with out her.”
Cue the backflip 🤩 @marta_kostyuk wins straight-sets over Andreeva and runs for first profession WTA 1000 title! #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/sRIJwo8u9M
— wta (@WTA) Might 2, 2026
Provides consistency to her athleticism and shot-making
Kostyuk has at all times been a superb all-around athlete and even carried out a again handspring when she received in Madrid, one thing she discovered throughout her seven years of acrobatic coaching. Her courtroom protection at Roland Garros this 12 months gave the impression to be on one other degree, particularly side-to-side, and she or he was retrieving game-winning balls in opposition to most different opponents.
She continues to rack up wins — her 172 whole in 5 video games right here ranks fourth general — however she’s additionally much more constant than she’s been prior to now.
“I am essentially the most secure I’ve ever been in my profession,” she mentioned. “Technically, I am nonetheless on the drawback. We’ll see. Perhaps a number of issues will change after this match.”
make sensible selections
That is true each on and off the courtroom. Kostyuk’s clay courtroom success this 12 months started in Rouen, the place Zaniewska needed to play. That was even if the WTA 250 was held in the identical week because the WTA 500 in Stuttgart, and supplied extra prize cash and rating factors. Zaniewska thought it was necessary for Kostyuk to stay within the match so long as doable and, most significantly, to expertise what it was wish to be a favourite to win quite than an underdog, in addition to enjoying in opposition to a stronger subject in Germany.
It labored completely, she took the Rouen title and she or he arrived in Madrid with nice confidence. There, she stunned everybody by profitable her first WTA 1000. Even on the courtroom, the place he was as soon as overcome by emotion, Kostyuk remained targeted and decided, not permitting any second of adversity to tug on.
Mission to Ukraine
Kostyuk has been probably the most outspoken figures about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is set to maintain what is going on in his homeland out of the general public consciousness. On the primary day of the match, she acquired phrase that there had been a missile assault simply 100 meters from her mother and father’ house.
Like her compatriot Elina Svitolina, she feels that she is a girl with a mission, and the higher she performs on the courtroom, the extra pleasure she will be able to convey to individuals at house.
At Roland Garros, it appeared like a quiet energy was driving her by way of the draw. After defeating Svitolina, she devoted her victory to Ukraine and mentioned that she had acquired many messages of help from her house nation.
“I am nonetheless attempting to do issues, attempting to do what I can to make an affect, and at any time when I’ve a second the place I do not forget that, I exploit my platform, I exploit my speech,” she mentioned.
