The young Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk lashed out at the tennis world’s response to the russian invasion of his country, affirming that calls for peace are not enough either given the seriousness of the situation.
The 19-year-old Kostyuk advanced to the second round of the torneo de Indian Wells (California) with a 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (8/6) and 7-5 victory over the Belgian Maryna Zanevskaalso born in Ukraine.
After the game, in which he saved two match points, Kostyuk revealed that he even considered not playing because of the emotional impact of the Russian invasion on his country.
Honestly, in the state of mind I’m in, it was very hard to go out on the court“, affirmed the number 54 in the world ranking. “I didn’t know what to expect from myself, I didn’t know what to expect from my body. When I woke up this morning I thought: ‘I’m not going to do it, I can’t win“.
“My main objective was to fight and I fought. Each one fights as they can“, he stated. “My job is to play tennis and this is the biggest way I can help in the current situation.”
Kostyuk and Zanevska, who was born in the Ukrainian city of Odessa but has represented Belgium since 2016, exchanged a long hug after the match.
“His parents are in the Ukraine. They are in a quieter area, but Everyone is afraid“, said Kostyuk.”I told him that he had played amazing and that everything will be fine. Our parents will be fine.”
REACTION OF RUSSIAN TENNIS PLAYERS
Regarding the response of the tennis authorities to the Russian military offensive, which has drawn condemnation from much of the international community, Kostyuk disagreed with the measures taken compared to those of other sports.
The ATP and WTA tournaments that were to be held in Moscow in October have been suspended and the International Tennis Federation banned both Russia and Belarus from participating in the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.
Instead, tennis players from both countries can continue to compete individually in ATP and WTA events, albeit without the flag or other national symbols.
“I do not agree with the measures that have been taken,” Kostyuk said flatly.
Look at the other sports, look at the great sports, what they’ve done, that’s“, he added in an apparent reference to the actions of sports such as soccer, which suspended Russian teams and clubs from international competitions.
The Kiev tennis player also questioned the reaction of some players, such as the Russian Daniil Medvedevnumber one in the world, who have called for peace without directly condemning the invasion.
“You can’t be neutral on this.Kostyuk stressed. “These ‘No War’ statements hurt me because they have no substance.”
“Seeing the (Russian) players in the venue hurts me a lot. And see them with the only problem of not being able to transfer the money and so on. That’s what they talk about, it’s unacceptable to me,” he lamented.
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