Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk received awful news shortly before her opening match at the 2026 French Open on Sunday.
After Kostyuk cruised past Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 at Roland-Garros in Paris, the world’s No. 15-ranked player revealed she learned a Russian missile strike occurred near her parents’ home in Kyiv. The aerial attack destroyed the property.
Marta Kostyuk discusses Russian missile strike destroying her parents’ home
“I’m incredibly proud of myself today,” Kostyuk said while fighting tears in her on-court interview after the match. “I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 meters (328.084 feet) away from my parents’ house, a missile destroyed the building.
“It was a very difficult morning for me. I didn’t know how this match was going to turn around for me. I didn’t know how I would handle it. I don’t want to talk about myself today. I’m obviously very pleased to be in the second round, but all my thoughts and all my heart goes to the people of Ukraine today.”