‘Right thing to do’: Kostyuk gets upset win, but focus on Ukraine

When Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk created history at Melbourne Park five years ago, it seemed a matter of course that she would one day feature regularly in front of sold-out stadiums.

The youngest player this century to win a grand slam match in Melbourne in 2018, the 20-year-old is proving a standard-bearer on the tour, though her best is still to come on court.

On Monday, Kostyuk played superbly to upset Amanda Anisimova – a former French Open semi-finalist who defeated Naomi Osaka in Melbourne last year – 6-3, 6-4 at Melbourne Park.

Marta Kostyuk upset Amanda Anisimova in the first round on Monday.Credit: Getty Images

Her triumph came on a day when fellow prodigies Emma Raducanu, Coco Gauff and Bianca Andreescu all posted convincing opening-round wins at the Australian Open.

Third seed Jessica Pegula, who led the US to a triumph in the United Cup to start the season, also progressed with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 triumph over Jaqueline Cristian.

Kostyuk has been rated a talent – alongside Andreescu, Raducanu, Gauff and Pegula – capable of contending for a grand slam title since she shot on to the scene in Melbourne.

But is her preeminence as a spokeswoman for her homeland at a time it is in peril that has been a primary focus for her since the Russian invasion of Ukraine last February.

It is in this role that she featured in last Wednesday’s charity endeavour on Rod Laver Arena alongside Gauff in an exhibition against Frances Tiafoe and Dayana Yastremska.

“I know a lot of people around the world support Ukraine, but to feel it like this, to be there and feel that, it was amazing,” Kostyuk said.

The Kyiv-raised Kostyuk, who will play Australian wildcard Olivia Gadecki in the second round, is an avid reader about the war and speaks regularly with family and friends at home.

She challenged players including Australian veteran John Millman for their views on the conflict last year and said on Monday she struggled to identify how best to help Ukraine.

Kostyuk plays alongside Frances Tiafoe in a charity match for Ukraine.Credit: Getty Images

Kostyuk settled on using her profile as a player to raise awareness around the world.

“At first I thought I was not doing enough, because I was not in the Ukraine, and that I might be of more use in the Ukraine volunteering,” she told The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I was fighting with myself, saying ‘What should I do? What should I do?’ But now, I have a feeling that this is the right thing to do and I am doing it.

“I don’t think it is because I have an obligation or a burden. No one is forcing me. No one is telling me what to say. This is just where I am.”

Kostyuk has been coached by her mother Talina Beiko, a former tour player, and says managing her family relationships with life touring as a teenager was a challenge.

“I think what I learned the most is that no one has a perfect relationship in the family,” she said.

“When I first realised these things, because my mum was my coach my whole life, and it was not easy to balance mum-coach life and it obviously led to a lot of consequences.

“Trust me, it was not smooth at all, but I feel like having family behind me and having a good relationship there is a big accomplishment.”

Gauff, who made a similar splash to Kostyuk when breaking through for a win at Wimbledon as a 15-year-old, is looking forward to facing Raducanu, who won the US Open aged 18.

Victorious: Coco Gauff.Credit: Getty Images

She feels Raducanu, who was the first English woman to win a major since Virginia Wade in 1977, has faced more hype given the depth in US tennis compared to England.

“Obviously [Emma] has gone through a lot of pressure, bursting onto the scene,” Gauff said.

“I definitely can relate to bursting onto the scene and dealing with some pressure but I don’t think to that level.”

For daily updates of all the tennis action during the Australian Open, sign up for our Sport newsletter here.