With You, Marta. Absolutely.
“Marta Kostyuk said tennis "doesn't really matter" amid the war in Ukraine as she equalled her best Grand Slam singles result at the Australian Open.
The Ukrainian, 21, beat Russian Elina Avanesyan 2-6 6-4 6-4 to reach the fourth round of a major for the second time.
"The war is still there. People are still dying every day," said Kostyuk.
"My mom sends me videos when there are missiles flying over their house.
"My whole family is in Kyiv [Ukrainian capital] right now."
Kostyuk has often spoken about the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the presence of Russian and Belarusian players on the tennis circuit.
"To me it's incredible that it's still going on," she added. "It's been almost two years.
"I still don't understand what all these players are doing here. Nothing really changed in my world.”
(BBC Sports News/Tennis page)
The Ukrainian, 21, beat Russian Elina Avanesyan 2-6 6-4 6-4 to reach the fourth round of a major for the second time.
"The war is still there. People are still dying every day," said Kostyuk.
"My mom sends me videos when there are missiles flying over their house.
"My whole family is in Kyiv [Ukrainian capital] right now."
Kostyuk has often spoken about the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the presence of Russian and Belarusian players on the tennis circuit.
"To me it's incredible that it's still going on," she added. "It's been almost two years.
"I still don't understand what all these players are doing here. Nothing really changed in my world.”
(BBC Sports News/Tennis page)
1 year ago