By goalline365.com
Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk has opened up about the harsh realities of competing against the sport’s biggest names — Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka — admitting in a brutally honest interview that the world’s top players hold natural advantages she simply can’t match.
Speaking exclusively to Tennis365 at the Wuhan Open, Kostyuk revealed the ups and downs of her 2025 season, touching on the physical and mental challenges of going head-to-head with the WTA’s elite.
“This year had a lot of positives, but also a lot of frustrations,” the 22-year-old said. “I lost so many close matches to top-10 players. I felt like I was hitting a wall, match after match. I just couldn’t get over the line.”
Despite showing flashes of brilliance on tour, Kostyuk admitted the difference between her and the very top names like Swiatek and Sabalenka isn’t just about talent — it’s about physicality and mindset.
“Against Iga, when I played her, I wasn’t ready,” she said candidly. “With Aryna, it’s always a battle. But they’re both much taller, much stronger — physically, they’re built different. I feel smaller than them, and I have to work harder just to win points.”
Kostyuk also delved into the biological differences that make the women’s game so varied — and, in her eyes, so fascinating.
“We all have different body types,” she added. “Some players have higher testosterone levels, some lower. That helps a lot. I can’t make myself five centimetres taller or ten kilos heavier, so I have to use everything I have at 100 percent.”
But while physical power may not be her greatest weapon, Kostyuk believes her mental resilience and strategic play can bridge the gap. She’s determined to turn those narrow losses into statement wins in 2026.
“When I look at photos of me shaking hands at the net, I look so much smaller,” she laughed. “But that’s just part of the sport. It’s a cool challenge. I just have to find new ways to win.”
Still, Kostyuk admits the mental edge of champions like Sabalenka sets them apart.
“Their confidence is different,” she explained. “Aryna plays big points like they’re nothing. She just goes for it. No doubt, no hesitation. That’s what makes her world No. 1. I’m still learning that level of self-belief.”
As 2025 draws to a close, Marta Kostyuk’s self-awareness and determination suggest that while she may not have the same natural advantages as Swiatek or Sabalenka — she’s building something even stronger: a fighter’s mentality and a hunger to belong at the very top.
