French Open begins in Paris during heat wave with Djokovic facing Perricard in night match.
Marta Kostyuk faced emotional turmoil during her first-round French Open match after discovering that a missile almost struck her parents’ home in Ukraine. The 15th-seeded Kostyuk fought back tears following her victory over Oksana Selekhmeteva, reflecting on the morning’s harrowing events. She revealed that a missile hit a building just 100 meters from her parents’ residence, leaving her distraught and uncertain of how to cope.
The weight of the news weighed heavily on Kostyuk as she explained, “I think it was one of the most difficult matches of my career. This morning, 100 meters away from my parents’ house, the missile destroyed the building, and it was a very difficult morning for me … I didn’t know how I would handle it, I’ve been crying part of the morning.” The gravity of the situation left her feeling sick, realizing that her family narrowly escaped tragedy. Her mother, sister, and great aunt were present in the house during the strike, along with 17 individuals in total. Kostyuk expressed immense relief that no one sustained injuries, remarking, “I don’t want to think what I would do if something worse happened, but I knew that this is the day to go out and play.” She credits the resilience of the Ukrainian people for inspiring her to push through and compete in the tournament.
After her match, Kostyuk received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow players. She commended her compatriots for their unwavering spirit amid adversity, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. Looking ahead, Kostyuk gears up to face unseeded American Katie Volynets in the next round, while Ukrainian standout Elina Svitolina prepares to take on Anna Bondar. Despite the challenges she faced on and off the court, Kostyuk remains determined to forge ahead and honor her country’s defiant spirit.
In the sweltering Parisian heat, the players face additional challenges on the court. Frenchman Arthur Gea succumbed to the scorching temperatures during his match against No. 13 Karen Khachanov, necessitating an emergency bathroom break. With the mercury soaring to 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit), competitors and spectators alike grapple with the oppressive conditions. Amidst the intense climate, the athletes muster their strength to deliver compelling performances in the pursuit of victory.