In 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine despatched shockwaves the world over, coinciding with the arrival of tennis gamers on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Three years later, the battle persists, and Ukrainian participant Marta Kostyuk displays on what it means to compete in america amid shifting political tensions and ongoing struggles at residence.
For Kostyuk, the heat she receives from on a regular basis People stands in stark distinction to her emotions towards the federal government’s shifting stance: “It’s incredible to see that people still support Ukraine… Whenever you say you’re from Ukraine, everyone says, ‘Oh my God, we are so sorry.’ I haven’t received any negative comments or any negativity from people here.”
Navigating maturity within the midst of warfare has given the Ukrainian a profound perspective, each internally and towards her colleagues: “Everyone is going through something in their lives, whether there is war or some of their relatives are not feeling well or dying, or problems in the family or some problems with the health. Everyone is dealing with something, it’s very important to put everything that’s outside of the court aside and go out there and do the job that you are doing.”
She additionally shared a Ukrainian saying that loosely interprets to: “Everything will be fine, and if it’s not fine, then it means it’s not the end.” These have change into her phrases to dwell by, as she navigates having to concentrate on the tennis court docket, whereas her household resides in Kyiv.
Now into the third spherical of the BNP Paribas Open, the 18th-seeded Kostyuk will subsequent face one other American wildcard, Caroline Dolehide.
