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[SPOTV News=Reporter Shin In-seop] Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk etched her name into French Open history while offering a heartfelt tribute to her embattled homeland.
Kostyuk defeated fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 2-1 (6-3, 2-6, 6-2) in the quarterfinals of the 2026 French Open women’s singles in Paris to advance to the semifinals.
The match was the first all-Ukrainian quarterfinal in a major tournament, and Kostyuk emerged victorious. She is the first Ukrainian woman in the Open Era to reach the Roland-Garros singles semifinals.
Before celebration could set in, her thoughts were on Ukraine. A day before the match, Russian missile and drone strikes killed at least 18 people across Ukraine, with significant damage reported in the capital, Kyiv.
In her postmatch interview, Kostyuk struggled to contain her emotions. “Ukraine went through another terrible night. Many people died, especially in Kyiv,” she said. “I want to dedicate this match to Ukraine.”
Her voice broke as she spoke, and she eventually wept. The crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier rose and applauded, and former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli embraced her on court to offer comfort.
Kostyuk also paid respect to her opponent. “Elina has had an enormous impact on tennis, on Ukraine and on me,” she said. “She’s an incredible player.”
By reaching the semifinals, Kostyuk became the third Ukrainian woman to reach a major semifinal, after Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska. She is also the first Ukrainian to reach the French Open singles semifinals since Andrei Medvedev in 1999.
Kostyuk has consistently used her platform during the war. She has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players after matches and has criticized Russian players who remain silent about the conflict.
“I’m no longer frustrated,” she said. “They are adults and know what is happening. If they choose to avoid the issue, they must live with that responsibility. I won’t. I don’t understand how anyone can sleep peacefully without saying anything while this is happening.”
For a place in the final, Kostyuk will face Russia’s rising star Mira Andreeva. Andreeva said she doesn’t care who she plays; she intends to focus solely on the ball and the match.
Kostyuk, who has compiled a 17-match winning streak on clay this season, will continue her run for the title. “The trophy still feels far away,” she told the crowd. “Two matches remain. Please come on Thursday and cheer me on.”
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