Ukrainian tennis sensation Marta Kostyuk has sparked fresh debate across the tennis world after making a brutally honest confession about the challenges of competing against Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka — two of the most dominant forces in women’s tennis today.
Speaking in a candid interview with Tennis365, Kostyuk revealed that her biggest obstacles against the world’s top two players go far beyond strategy and technique — they come down to raw physical power.
“They’re just naturally bigger, taller, and stronger than me,” Kostyuk admitted. “I can’t make myself 10 kilograms heavier or five centimeters taller. So all I can do is give everything I have, 100 percent, every single time I play them.”
Despite her growing maturity and tactical improvement this season, Kostyuk has struggled to turn her hard work into results against the elite. She trails Swiatek 0–3 and Sabalenka 0–4 in career head-to-head meetings. Their most recent clash at the Italian Open ended with Sabalenka’s straight-sets victory, underscoring the physical difference that Kostyuk says she’s constantly trying to bridge.
“We all have different biological structures,” she continued. “Some players have higher testosterone levels, some lower. That’s just nature. I often feel smaller next to them, so I have to run more and fight harder for every point.”
Her honesty has struck a chord online, with fans praising her transparency and courage to speak out in a sport often filled with clichés. Many called her comments “real and relatable,” while others admired her willingness to confront her limitations head-on.
Still, the 23-year-old refuses to see herself as a victim of genetics. Instead, she views the challenge as motivation.
“It’s part of the sport,” Kostyuk said with a smile. “It’s a cool challenge to face players like Iga and Aryna. Every time I play them, I learn something new. Tennis isn’t just about muscles — it’s about heart, tactics, and mental strength.”
While her 2025 season hasn’t gone as planned — with a 26–20 record and no titles — Kostyuk remains optimistic about what’s next. Determined to evolve her game, she says the experiences of playing against the best will only make her stronger heading into 2026.
“Every setback teaches me something. I’ll keep pushing, keep improving. That’s my promise,” she concluded.
As Swiatek and Sabalenka continue their rivalry at the top of the WTA rankings, Marta Kostyuk’s fearless honesty and fighting spirit have reminded the world why she’s one of tennis’s most inspiring young talents.
