Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk, 23, is approaching life on the WTA Tour with a renewed focus on enjoying the journey and managing her emotions, nearly a decade after turning professional in 2016.
Marta Kostyuk’s Mental Strength Journey
She has emphasized that at the top level, mental strength is often the difference-maker. Alongside her physical training, she is deliberately working on acknowledging and regulating her feelings, treating emotional skills as a key part of her development and performance.
Her outlook has been shaped by a challenging stretch this summer. A wrist injury forced her to retire from a Montreal quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina, and a torn ligament in her hand was later confirmed. She then withdrew from Cincinnati against Iga Swiatek and was uncertain to play the US Open. She ultimately recovered in time and reached the fourth round in New York for the first time in her career.
Ranked No. 28 in the world at the time, Kostyuk has been winning frequently this season and plans to balance ambition with enjoyment, remaining open to both positive and difficult emotions while tracking her own growth and progress.
With her focus on mental well-being and emotional resilience, Kostyuk is setting a new standard not just for herself but also for aspiring athletes. Her journey serves as an inspiring reminder that success in sports is not solely measured by titles and rankings, but also by personal growth and emotional health. As she continues to navigate the challenges of professional tennis, fans and fellow players alike can look forward to witnessing her evolution both on and off the court.