Beginner’s Guide: Can Marta Kostyuk break through at site of junior Australian Open triumph?

WATCH: Kostyuk made her first Grand Slam fourth round at Roland Garros in 2021.

Marta Kostyuk has already experience much in her short career, so much so that it’s hard to believe the Ukrainian youngster is still just 20 years old and five years removed from her Grand Slam debut.

It was at that 2018 Australian Open that that the reigning junior champion stormed into the third round and was instantly earmarked as the tour’s latest teen phenom. Inconsistencies and upheavals have followed, but Kostyuk has never lost her canny instincts and on-court edge, both of which could help her make an overdue second week in Melbourne.

Catch up with Kostyuk before she takes on No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula:

The Basics

Kostyuk burst onto the scene as the heir apparent to Martina Hingis, armed with an all-court game—anchored by a pristine backhand—and precocious wit to match. She quickly became the darling of insider press, capable of effortlessly blending astute analysis with blunt personal assessments.

“If you woke me up in the middle of the night and asked me how old I am, I would probably say 22 or 23, because that’s about as old as I’ve been treated,” she said at 18 on the eve of 2021 Roland Garros.

By that point, Kostyuk was just coming out of the wilderness, addled by injuries and inconsistency. She made big splash in Paris, shocking former champion Garbiñe Muguruza en route to the fourth round—her best Grand Slam result to date.

The Latest

The 2022 season promised to be equally impressive for Kostyuk after ending the previous year inside the Top 50.

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ultimately—and understandably—put some of her athletic ambitions on the back burner as she became the de facto spokesperson for the Ukrainian tennis contingent.

She gave several explosive interviews on the subject, criticizing the tours for their relative inaction against Russia and co-conspirator Belarus, and made waves at the US Open when she refused to shake hands with former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.

“It was my choice because I didn’t feel like any single person who condemned the war publicly, and the actions of their government,” she explained to a packed room after the match. “I don’t feel like I can support this.”

While her heart remains in Ukraine, her game has found its way back on court to start 2023, starting with a run to the Adelaide International quarterfinals—a result that included a three-set victory over reigning Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina.

Decked out in Wilson apparel thanks to a landmark head-to-toe deal with the equipment brand, Kostyuk has sailed through her first two matches, backing up an upset of No. 28 seed Amanda Anisimova with a ruthless win over hometown favorite Olivia Gadecki.

Why It Matters

Should she play a full career on tour, Marta Kostyuk still has many years to make good on all of her junior and early career promise. But it has been especially heartwarming to see her channel all of her frustrations surrounding a cruel and confusing world into her talent—all while maintaining her instinct to advocate for her country.

With an inspiring message and a supportive Aussie crowd at her back, might this be the major where Kostyuk fulfills her destiny?