2024 Australian Open quarterfinalist Marta Kostyuk was seen training in Kyiv amidst air raid sirens, spotlighting war reality, as the Ukraine vs Russia war continues for over three years now.
Kostyuk started her 2026 season well, reaching the Brisbane International final before losing to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. But she could not sustain that momentum, exiting in the first round of the Australian Open and falling in the Round of 32 at both Indian Wells and the Miami Open.
With the clay season approaching, Kostyuk has returned to Kyiv to train, offering fans a stark glimpse of life in war-hit Ukraine as she practices amidst air raid sirens. Watch the video here:
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Kostyuk is among Ukraine’s
top women’s singles players, alongside Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska. She has won three WTA titles and reached the quarterfinals of the 2024 Australian Open.
Kostyuk dedicated her maiden WTA Tour title to ‘all the people who are fighting and dying’ after beating Russia’s Varvara Gracheva at the 2023 ATX Open. Playing her first-ever final, she bagged a 6-3, 7-5 win in Austin, Texas.
“Being in the position that I am in right now, it is extremely special to win this title. I want to dedicate this title to Ukraine and to all the people who are fighting and dying,” Kostyuk had said at the post-match presentation.
Kostyuk has been one of the most vocal critics of permitting Russian and Belarusian players to compete on tour after the invasion of Ukraine. She has called out players from the two countries for not condemning the war as well and didn’t shake hands with Gracheva after their match.
Partnering Yastremska, Kostyuk represented Ukraine at the Paris Olympics, where the duo exited in the second round against the Taiwanese pair of Hsieh Su-wei and Tsao Chia-yi.
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