Marta Kostyuk’s Emotional French Open Win Came Hours After a Missile Strike Near Her Parents’ Home

Marta Kostyuk’s first‑round victory at the 2026 French Open came under extraordinary emotional strain. Hours before stepping onto the court at Roland Garros, the Ukrainian tennis player learned that a Russian missile had destroyed a building roughly 100 meters from her parents’ home in Kyiv. The news left her shaken and in tears—but she still managed to compete and win her match later that day.

A Missile Strike Near Her Family’s Home

On the morning of her match, Kostyuk saw reports that a missile had hit extremely close to her parents’ house in the Ukrainian capital. The strike destroyed a nearby building, intensifying fears for her family’s safety.

She later described the emotional toll, explaining that she had spent part of the morning crying and unsure how she would handle competing under the circumstances. The shock made the match one of the most difficult she had ever played emotionally.

The Result: A Straight‑Sets Win

Despite the distressing news, Kostyuk delivered a composed performance in Paris. She defeated Russia‑born Oksana Selekhmeteva 6‑2, 6‑3 in the opening round at Roland Garros, advancing to the second round of the tournament.

After the match, the Ukrainian player said she was proud of maintaining focus during such a difficult day, though she made clear that the tennis result felt secondary to the situation unfolding at home.

The Wider Context: A Massive Attack on Kyiv

The strike near Kostyuk’s parents’ home occurred during one of the largest waves of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv in the ongoing Russia‑Ukraine war, which began with Russia’s full‑scale invasion in 2022.

Ukrainian officials reported that Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles during the overnight bombardment targeting the capital and surrounding areas. The attack killed several people and injured many others while damaging residential buildings, schools, and infrastructure across the city.

A Match Overshadowed by War

Kostyuk’s win illustrated the unusual reality many Ukrainian athletes face: competing at the highest level of international sport while events in their home country unfold in real time.

For the 23‑year‑old player, the match result mattered—but the news from Kyiv weighed far more heavily. The emotional morning, followed by a professional victory on one of tennis’s biggest stages, underscored the continuing human impact of the war even far from the front lines.