Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk, currently ranked world No. 13, has experienced a remarkable transformation both on and off the court, overcoming personal and professional challenges that once nearly led her to quit the sport and contemplate suicide.

At 23, Kostyuk has emerged as a formidable competitor on the women’s tour, highlighted by a 17-match winning streak during the clay court season this year. This run included titles in Rouen and Madrid, and a semifinal appearance at the French Open. Despite a recent ankle injury forcing her withdrawal from Queen’s Club, she enters Wimbledon as a serious contender.

Kostyuk’s journey to this point has been shaped by early pressure and significant hardship. Since her breakthrough at the 2018 Australian Open, where as a 15-year-old wild card she reached the third round, she has faced intense expectations. Family dynamics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the trauma of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 compounded the pressure. These factors led her to seek therapy after struggling with dark thoughts and mental health challenges.

“I didn’t go to therapy to play better tennis, I went because I wanted to be a better person,” Kostyuk said, describing the slow and deep process of relearning how to manage her emotions and expectations. The war, despite her move to Monaco, continues to profoundly affect her. Her family remains in Kyiv, with loved ones on the front lines, and she has publicly refused to shake hands with Russian players in protest.

Kostyuk’s tennis foundation was laid in Kyiv under her mother Talina, a former professional player and coach. Talina’s rigorous training approach and the family’s financial struggles did not deter Kostyuk, who won prestigious junior titles and transitioned to home schooling to focus on tennis. However, their relationship was sometimes strained by the pressures of working together, prompting Kostyuk to separate from her mother’s coaching in pursuit of her independence.

Since early 2023, Kostyuk has been coached by Sandra Zaniewska, a former player ranked as high as No. 142. Zaniewska has brought a balance of mentorship and freedom, helping Kostyuk evolve her mindset and approach to competition. The pair navigated a difficult start, including moments where Kostyuk threatened to quit, but their collaboration has yielded significant progress.

Throughout her career, Kostyuk has battled perfectionism and the emotional lows following losses. Now, she describes a shift in perspective: rather than entering matches burdened by fear of failure, she approaches them with curiosity and self-belief.

With Wimbledon underway, Kostyuk is hopeful of continuing her ascent. Though well aware of the challenges presented by top players like world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Elena Rybakina—both of whom she has faced this year—she remains optimistic. “I hope so,” she said when asked about the possibility of claiming her first Grand Slam title.

Kostyuk’s story illustrates a young athlete’s resilience amid global turmoil and personal struggle, as she seeks to translate newfound mental clarity into success on tennis’s biggest stages.