BRISBANE – Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk became visibly emotional after the Brisbane Open final as she spoke about the ongoing hardships in her homeland.
Speaking after her match, Kostyuk said she felt compelled to address the situation in Ukraine, explaining that she plays every day with a heavy heart.
“Thousands of people in Ukraine are facing severe difficulties,” she said. “Many are living without electricity, and even in freezing temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, they do not have access to hot water.”
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She added that her sister sleeps under three blankets at night because their home remains extremely cold. “This reality is deeply painful, and I carry this sorrow with me every day on the court,” Kostyuk said emotionally.
The remarks followed a highly competitive final, where world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus defeated Kostyuk 6-4, 6-3. While the Ukrainian player could not secure the title, her heartfelt message brought international attention to the struggles faced by citizens in her war-torn country.
