“I probably wouldn’t have a mom and sister today”: Marta Kostyuk shows photo of destruction near parents’ home

Marta Kostyuk showed during her press conference a photo of the destruction near her home – following the bombing that affected a building just metres away from her parents’ house.

The Ukrainian stepped onto the court only a few hours after learning about the disaster that occurred a short distance from her parents’ home and was left in tears after securing a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Russian player Oksana Selekhmeteva on her Roland Garros opener.

The world No. 15 experienced an emotional day after finding out only hours before her debut about the destruction of a building located barely 100 metres from her parents’ house. Nobody in her family was injured, but the shock of the news created an emotional challenge for the 15th seed – especially while facing a Russian opponent like Selekhmeteva, with whom there was no handshake at the end of the match.

Following the victorious debut, and an emotional on-court interview through tears, the Ukrainian faced the microphones with a bit more calmness in the press room. It was there that she began her press conference by showing a photo on her phone displaying the destroyed building just metres away from her parents’ home.

“I have this picture of my parents' house and everything around it. I don't have a video. This is what I received at eight in the morning today, and I had to live through it and deal with it and go out and play,” she said while showing a photo of the destruction to the press present. “I didn't know what to expect from myself. I didn't know how my focus was going to be, how I was going to be able to control my emotions or my thoughts.”

Kostyuk arrived in Paris as one of the names to follow in the draw, especially after her campaign at Madrid Open a few weeks ago in which she won her first WTA 1000 title, defeating top-10 rivals such as Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva along the way.

For the first round at the French Open, she appeared this morning as the favourite against Russian player Selekhmeteva, world No. 89, who was searching for her first-ever win at Roland Garros.

However, the news of another bombing near her parents’ house made the challenge especially emotional for Kostyuk as she had to step onto the court and perform. “Most of the morning I felt sick just from the thought that if it was 100 metres closer, I probably wouldn't have a mum and a sister today,” the 23-year-old player added. “It was really difficult to process it so quickly and also go out and play.”

“That's why I'm also very happy that I played the first match, because I don't know what would be the outcome if I played last, for example. It's tough, but I'm very proud of myself today, of how we all handled it, and happy to be in the second round and that everyone is alive.”

Kostyuk at least improved on her result from last year at Roland Garros, where she fell in the first round. Paris has not been a stage filled with too many good memories for the Ukrainian, who since 2022 had managed only one victory there – reaching the second round in 2024.

During the press conference, Kostyuk was asked whether she considered withdrawing from the tournament during the morning after hearing the news about what had happened in Ukraine. “Not this morning because everyone is healthy and alive and out of the hospital. I never was in the hospital. It's difficult, but none of my close friends or people I know are injured or dead.”

“Obviously it would be much more challenging and more difficult. I don't want to think what I would do if something worse happened. But I knew that this was the day to go out and play,” she added. “It didn't cross my mind today that I shouldn't go out, because at the end of the day everyone is alive and everything is good.”

Kostyuk will look to advance to the third round this Wednesday, when she faces American Katie Volynets. Once again, the Ukrainian will be the favourite following a remarkable clay-court record this season, where she holds a 12-0 record and consecutive titles in Rouen and Madrid Open.