Marta Kostyuk the No. 15 seed opened the French Open after learning a missile struck 100 metres from her parents' Kyiv home. The Ukrainian star beat Oksana Selekhmeteva 6‑2, 6‑3, finishing the match visibly shaken yet defiant. Despite the early‑morning terror, she pressed on, refusing to withdraw during the tournament schedule. She focused on the game.

Her 78‑minute triumph marked the first main‑draw win at Roland Garros since 2024 and extended a 12‑match win streak that began with back‑to‑back titles at Rouen and Madrid. The victory keeps her campaign alive as she prepares to face American Katie Volynets in the second round, while the war shadows every rally for her team.

After the strike, Kostyuk held a phone with a photo of the damaged building, showing her mother, sister and great‑aunt inside. She admitted the morning’s terror made concentration difficult, yet said she played because “it’s important to keep going” and to honor the resilience of Ukrainians. She remains determined to use her platform for fans.

Kostyuk’s stance echoes her earlier outcry against the 2022 Russian invasion, and she noted the WTA Tour’s silence feels like abandonment. She vows to keep raising awareness, using speeches and social media to spotlight the daily horrors faced by civilians. Her resolve underlines the intersection of sport and politics in today’s global arena for fans.