Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk advanced to the second round of the French Open on Sunday after a difficult day marked by a missile strike near her family home in Kyiv. The 15th-seeded Kostyuk defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3 on Court Simonne-Mathieu at Roland Garros, but the victory came amid heightened personal and national anguish.

Kostyuk learned early Sunday morning that a Russian missile had struck a building approximately 100 meters away from her parents’ residence, where her mother, sister, and great-aunt were present at the time. Despite significant damage to the nearby structure, none of the 17 people inside the homes were injured. Reflecting on the close call, Kostyuk said she had spent much of the morning in tears and felt physically ill with worry. “If it was 100 meters closer, I probably wouldn’t have a mom and a sister today,” she said.

Hours after receiving the news, Kostyuk took to the court to compete in a match she described as one of the most challenging of her career. Throughout the contest, she admitted her thoughts often drifted back to the attack. Nevertheless, she remained determined to play, underscoring her resolve to carry on for both her family and her country. “It didn’t cross my mind that I shouldn’t go out, because, at the end of the day, everyone is alive,” she said.

During the post-match press conference, Kostyuk showed photos of the missile damage and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, noting the presence of many Ukrainian flags and compatriots among the spectators. She emphasized the importance of perseverance, citing the resilience of the Ukrainian people as her inspiration. “I looked at all these people who woke up and kept living their lives, kept helping people who are in need,” she said, becoming emotional.

Kostyuk also addressed the wider context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Despite the reduced international attention compared to the conflict’s early days, she described her role as a platform to remind the world of Ukraine’s plight. The player has maintained a principled stance during the war, notably refusing to shake hands with players representing Russia or Belarus, including in this match against Selekhmeteva, who recently changed her nationality to Spain.

Following the missile attack on her neighborhood, Kyiv experienced a series of strikes that reportedly killed four people and injured close to 100 others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, describing Russia’s actions as “genuinely deranged.” Kostyuk’s experience highlights the persistent intersection of international conflict and global sporting events, as athletes from conflict zones continue to compete on the world stage under extraordinary circumstances.

Despite ongoing support from tennis authorities such as the WTA and Wimbledon organizers, who offer mental health resources and logistical assistance, Kostyuk noted a sense of diminished attention to Ukraine’s situation within the sport. “People adapt, people forget, people move on," she said. “I’m still trying to do things that I can to influence, and I use my platform... to remind [people] about it.”

Kostyuk will next face American Katie Volynets in the tournament’s second round. Her performance at Roland Garros not only advances her tennis career but also serves as a testament to her resilience amid personal hardship linked directly to her country’s ongoing conflict.