Ukrainian tennis / WTA – In an interview with the morning show “Breakfast with 1+1”, the third racket of Ukraine, Marta Kostyuk, talked regarding the influence of her parents on her tennis career
“My parents spent an incredible amount of time on me, on my career. My mother was my trainer for many years, she sacrificed her comfort. She lived in Kyiv all her life, but at some point she started traveling a lot precisely because of my career. This a thankless job, in fact, and a difficult one. Because of this, she often left my younger sister at home to be with me at the competitions. The most they sacrificed was their time, their “golden years”. Unfortunately, time is running out, the strength is running out. I I can’t say that they have enough health now to travel with me. And they want to stay in Ukraine as long as possible.
My mom lived in France for almost 1.5 years to be closer to me, travel, train, etc. But she simply might not integrate into society. It is difficult and not much talked regarding, because it is really not easy to move to another country and feel comfortable there. And in the summer of that year, they decided to move back home. I supported them and said, if they are happy like this, then of course, come back. My parents live in Kyiv. The same place where I lived all my childhood. My sister studies at school in Kyiv.
But we know that no one is safe from anything. My parents are not safe now, because no one in Ukraine is safe. It is impossible to control. Of course, you can take some safety steps, but no one is safe from anything. This past week was particularly difficult because of the events in Odesa, the drone attack on a civilian building. I followed the news. I’m always watching, but information gradually came here, how small children, the whole family were found under the rubble…
I just understand that… It’s hard for me to even talk regarding it right now… I don’t know what might happen any day. My parents gave so much for my career. I want them to see these fruits, because they deserve it,” Marta Kostiuk said.
We will remind that last week Marta Kostyuk reached the finals of the WTA 500 tournament for the first time, but in the decisive match she lost to British Katie Boulter. At the award ceremony, the Ukrainian woman dedicated her finalist award to her parents.
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