Kostyuk's Training Session During an Air Raid Alert
On April 3, 2026, Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk trained in Kyiv even as air raid sirens sounded. She was preparing at the Antey complex courts for the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers, scheduled for April 10-11 on indoor clay in Gliwice, Poland. Kostyuk stated she had readied herself for the clay-court season 'under the sound of the air raid siren.' This underscores the extraordinary challenges athletes from Ukraine continue to face.
Team Rosters and Future Plans
Ranked as Ukraine's number two player, Kostyuk returned to Kyiv for several days to prepare for the clay season and national team duties, having trained in Italy earlier in the week. The Ukrainian team for the Billie Jean King Cup will also feature:
- Elina Svitolina
- Oleksandra Oliynikova
- Lyudmyla Kichenok
- Nadiia Kichenok
The Polish national team roster includes:
- Magda Linette
- Maja Chwalińska
- Linda Klimovičová
- Katarzyna Kawa
- Martyna Kubka
Notably, Poland will be competing without world number one Iga Świątek.
Following her national team commitments, Kostyuk plans to compete in a series of European tournaments, including a WTA 250 event in Rouen, as well as competitions in Madrid and Rome. Separately, the Marta Kostyuk Foundation has launched a project to prepare young Ukrainian tennis players for studying abroad.
Kostyuk's decision to train during an air raid alert highlights her determination and dedication to the sport despite the ongoing difficult situation in Ukraine.
Performance in the Billie Jean King Cup could be a pivotal moment for the Ukrainian team, given the strong competition from Poland. Kostyuk's subsequent participation in European tournaments points to her ambitions to reach new heights in her career. Furthermore, her foundation's initiative to support young players may positively influence the future development of tennis in Ukraine.
As the anticipation builds for the Billie Jean King Cup, it's worth noting that fellow Ukrainian tennis player Yulia Starodubtova has made headlines by reaching the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event. Her recent performance highlights the emerging talent in Ukrainian tennis, further emphasizing the competitive spirit that Kostyuk and her teammates will need to showcase in their upcoming matches against Poland.