Kostyuk on Kasatkina: "I'm very happy for her"

This Friday, Marta Kostyuk advanced to the third round of the Rome tournament after her straight-sets victory over Daria Kasatkina (6-4, 6-2). The Ukrainian had trailed 4-2 in the first set.

This was the seventh meeting between the two players (now 4-3 in Kasatkina's favor), but the first since the latter decided to compete under the Australian flag instead of Russia, which she had represented since the start of her career.

Before the match, Kostyuk posted a message on her Instagram account, opening the door to a post-match handshake, stating that changing sporting nationality—as Kasatkina did in recent weeks—deserves respect and courage.

The 22-year-old Kostyuk has chosen not to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players since the war in her country began, but emphasized that Kasatkina has always been vocal against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. After her win, Kostyuk spoke again about her opponent in an interview with Tennis Channel.

"I was very happy for her, and for the decision she made, but I wouldn’t necessarily consider us friends. I think we’re just colleagues, like I am with all the other players on tour.

It wasn’t anything official, but now she represents Australia, and I’m very happy for her. I don’t know the reason she decided to switch passports. Maybe it’s nicer to represent a country that has a flag next to its name.

I don’t know what her intentions were. I think it depends on people’s values. It depends on what you stand for, what you support. Everyone is different.

I can’t make decisions for others, but obviously, I think she’s a very good example of finding a way out of a very difficult situation life put her in.

Sometimes, I have to disconnect a little from the news. I might be safe, but my brain doesn’t know the difference. When I see updates from Ukraine, I start crying and feeling stressed. I have to go on court, perform, and do my job.

That’s my priority right now. But I also can’t forget that my family is there, and you never know what will happen tomorrow," concluded Kostyuk, who will face Leylah Fernandez in the next round.