What's happened
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 on the opening day at Roland Garros, revealing the morning missile strike near her family home has weighed on her. She has spoken about finding the strength to play as Ukrainian fans and friends back home show support.
What's behind the headline?
Key angles in today’s coverage
- Kostyuk has publicly linked her performance to personal safety fears from a missile strike near her family home, which has intensified emotional stakes for the event.
- The match reportedly unfolds amid heat and physical strain, which has affected several players during the opening rounds.
- The French Open’s crowd support for Ukrainian players is evident, with Kostyuk receiving ovations and Ukrainian flags visible in the stands.
What this means going forward
- Kostyuk will next face Katie Volynets as she continues to navigate the tournament under personal duress. Her countrywoman Elina Svitolina is also in contention, underscoring Ukraine’s ongoing presence at Roland Garros.
How we got here
Kostyuk, 23, has highlighted the ongoing tensions in Ukraine. She has not shaken hands with Russian players since the 2022 invasion and is competing in the clay-court Grand Slam in Paris this week, where she has reached the latter stages of recent tournaments.
Our analysis
The Independent | France 24 | The Guardian
Go deeper
- Will Kostyuk’s emotional start affect her performance in subsequent rounds?
- How is the Ukrainian community reacting at Roland Garros and in Ukraine?
More on these topics
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Ukraine - Country in Europe
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Marta Kostyuk - Ukrainian tennis player
Marta Olehivna Kostyuk is a Ukrainian tennis player.