Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk slams IOC decision to lift Russia ban: “I want to beat every Russian I play in Olympics”
The 12th seed said it was “100 percent wrong” and will be taking it up with World Tennis after Wimbledon
Marta Kostyuk, Wimbledon 2026 | © Action Plus / PsNewz
An angry Marta Kostyuk said she wants to “beat every single Russian I play at the Olympics,” in response to the decision by the IOC to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes back into the Games in 2028.
The Ukrainian, who reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the first time on Wednesday with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Jasmine Paolini of Italy, said she was disgusted by the decision.”
“My thoughts are that it’s terrible,” Kostyuk said. “I think it’s very, very far from fair play for all the countries involved here, not just for Ukraine.
“I 100 percent don’t agree with this decision. But I feel like a lot of people spoke out on this issue. They obviously don’t agree, as well. I don’t think anything is going to change. I just want to go out there and hopefully beat every single Russian I play in Olympics, and that’s it.”
Kostyuk has been an outspoken critic of Russia ever since they invaded Ukraine in 2022, using her platform to keep Ukraine top of the news agenda. She said she’ll be taking it up with World Tennis, but only after Wimbledon.
“I’m sure we’re going to do something about it,” she said. “I’m definitely not going to be doing this before my semi-final match. Maybe I can talk more about it in US. or wherever, whenever I have time to talk to the team, to the girls, to the government as well, see what we’re going to do about it. As of now, not something I’m focused on.”
I’m hoping it means a lot”
Kostyuk, who will play Czech Linda Noskova in the semis, would be the first Ukrainian woman to make a grand slam singles final. Reaching the final would be a huge achievement for her country, she said.
“I’m hoping it would mean a lot,” she said, adding that it is almost impossible to totally switch off when Ukraine is still being attacked by Russia at home.
“It’s not easy to disconnect entirely,” she said. “It was really tough for me last week when the first big attack happened. Then on Monday they ruined like four streets of residential buildings. It was like five kilometres away from where my parents live.
“Again, another difficult night and a lot of dead people, innocent people, kids. It’s not easy. I tried to be aware of everything that’s going on. Of course, I try for these things not to influence me too much. Every day is different. I cope with it as it goes.”
