Hip and Ankle Issues Force Marta Kostyuk to Withdraw from Rome Tournament

Withdrawal from the Competition

According to Главком: Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk has pulled out of the WTA 1000 event in Rome due to ongoing hip trouble and incomplete recovery from an ankle injury. The 23rd seed, who just last week claimed the title at the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid, was scheduled to play her opening match on May 8. This setback comes at a time when her career seemed to be peaking.

Other Ukrainian Players Still in the Draw

Four Ukrainian women remain in the main draw of the Rome tournament:

• Elina Svitolina
• Dayana Yastremska
• Yuliia Starodubtseva
• Oleksandra Oliynykova

Additionally, Daria Snigur and Angelina Kalinina could join the main field if they win their decisive qualifying matches.

'It truly hurts. After the best stretch of my career, I was really looking forward to playing in Rome. But sometimes the body has other plans-over the past few days, I've been dealing with hip issues. Considering my ankle still isn't fully healed, it would be unwise to push forward, so I won't be competing in Rome this year. This is even tougher because this place is special to me. The fans, the atmosphere, and of course… the food. I've had so many great moments here and always love coming back. I'm truly sorry to miss this tournament, but I'll see you next year. Now it's time to recover and get ready for Paris. Thank you for your support.' Marta Kostyuk

Kostyuk's decision to skip Rome underscores how crucial physical fitness is for athletes, especially following a major victory. Although she is one of Ukraine's top tennis talents, prioritizing her health is key. Despite her absence, the Ukrainian contingent still fields strong competitors who will aim for success in Rome while also preparing for upcoming events, notably the French Open.

As Kostyuk steps back from the tournament, the spotlight remains on her fellow Ukrainian competitors. Notably, Svitolina and Kostyuk were set to advance directly to the second round, highlighting their strong positions in the draw. This shift in momentum emphasizes the competitive landscape of the tournament and raises questions about how the remaining players will perform in her absence.