Marta Kostyuk blasts Russian players for silence over war in Ukraine: 'Your country is killing other people'

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk slammed Russian tennis stars for not speaking up against the war in Ukraine, saying that those who are silent have made it clear "whose side they are on." Kostyuk reached the semi-finals of the French Open 2026 on Tuesday and made an emotional outburst against players from Russia after her victory.

The 23-year-old beat fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-3 2-6 6-2 in ​the quarter-final on Tuesday which was played hours after another night of Russian strikes on Kyiv. She did not hesitate to lambast the Russian players who have chosen to not speak up against their country's aggression in Ukraine.

Kostyuk's emotional outburst

Kostyuk mentioned Daria Kasatkina, who switched her allegiance from Russia to Australia due to the war. The Ukrainian star wants other Russian players also to publicly stand against the war.

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“There is a way if you don’t ​agree,” Kostyuk told reporters after her win. “I know some people who have left Russia the moment the war began, who sold all their business, who left everything behind because they just don’t agree with what their country is doing to other people.”

“I don’t think she lives in ‌Russia anyways, ⁠but the majority of players don’t live in Russia,” Kostyuk said. “There is nothing that’s stopping you if this is something you don’t believe in. After four years, I think they’ve made it very clear whose side they are on.”

“They are all grown-ups. They know what they’re talking about. They know what’s going on. They ​have phones. They have Instagram. They have news,” Kostyuk said. “I wish there ​was some more ⁠clear stance on what’s going on, especially when your country is killing other people.”

Kostyuk's words become even more significant as she faces Russia's Mirra Andreeva in the semi-final.

“With everything that’s happening, for me being here is a real blessing, and I don’t think about ​winning,” she said. “I’m here to represent Ukraine and to enjoy.”