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Marta Kostyuk has dedicated her historic French Open run to Ukraine after becoming only the third Ukrainian woman to reach the semi-finals of one of tennis' major tournaments.
The 23-year-old joins fellow Ukrainians Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska in achieving the milestone, further strengthening Ukraine's growing presence at the highest level of women's tennis.
Kostyuk's achievement comes against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict that has deeply affected her life and the lives of many fellow athletes. Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, she has frequently spoken about concerns for the safety of her family, friends and fellow citizens.
Her campaign in Paris began with what she later described as one of the most difficult matches of her career. During the tournament, she also shared a photograph showing a building engulfed in flames near her family home in Kyiv following a missile strike, highlighting the personal impact of the conflict.
Svitolina, who has also been a prominent voice for Ukraine throughout the war, spoke about the significance of having Ukrainian players competing deep into major tournaments.
She said their success provides inspiration for younger generations and represents a positive development for Ukrainian sport. At the same time, she acknowledged the emotional burden carried by Ukrainian athletes, who continue to live with uncertainty and concern for loved ones back home.
Kostyuk was visibly emotional after her quarter-final encounter with Svitolina, a match played shortly after one of the largest Russian attacks on Ukraine in recent months.
Throughout the conflict, Kostyuk has remained outspoken regarding Russian and Belarusian players. Like several Ukrainian competitors, she has maintained a policy of not shaking hands with opponents from those countries and has criticised players who have not publicly addressed the war.
Asked about the issue, Kostyuk said she no longer feels frustrated by the silence of some players, arguing that they are fully aware of the situation and must live with their own decisions.
Her focus now turns to the semi-finals, where she will carry a remarkable 17-match winning streak on clay into the next round.
Speaking to the crowd after her victory, Kostyuk thanked supporters and expressed hope they would continue backing her as she pursues the title.
She also joked about her trademark backflip celebration, which she performed after winning the Madrid Open. Kostyuk revealed she had promised to save the acrobatic celebration for another final victory, meaning fans may have to wait a little longer to see it again.
