'Always remember where you started': Marta Kostyuk makes emotional return to Ukraine

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In the waning months of a long and grueling tennis season, Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk had something to smile about: She recently made an emotional return to her war-torn homeland for the first time in eight months.

In a candid and touching Instagram reel posted on Sunday, the 20-year-old rising star could be seen entering Ukraine through its border with Poland, reuniting with family and friends, meeting with children at a tennis club, and driving through scenic countryside roads.

"One of the most special and important trips in my life," Kostyuk wrote in the video's caption. "Feeling lucky enough to live another day and experience all the amazing moments with the people I love. Hope you guys will enjoy this one as much as I do."

Capping the message with a Ukrainian flag emoji, the Kyiv native added: "See you soon. Always remember where you started."

Kostyuk is deeply involved with a charity initiative that supports humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine, and came to Kyiv with aid packages for regions of the country that have been most affected by the war. She also visited a hospital in the capital city, and met with Ukrainian military personnel and others being treated there.

Since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine in February, Kostyuk has been one of tennis' most outspoken participants regarding the situation in her homeland. Since the war began, the former junior world No. 1 has spent much of her time training in Italy, and she told Tennis.com's Pete Bodo at last month's US Open that the crisis has helped her gain a new perspective on her globe-trotting tennis life.

"I now represent my nation even more than before," she said in New York. "When I do something it isn’t just for me, there is a whole nation looking out for and supporting me. You approach things differently when you are in this position.”

This week, Kostyuk will compete in the Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Seeded No. 6, she'll face Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the first round.