Marta Kostyuk is making headlines both on and off the court at Wimbledon. The Ukrainian tennis star, fresh off a quarterfinal victory over Jasmine Paolini, didn't mince words when asked about the International Olympic Committee's controversial decision to potentially allow Russian athletes to compete under their flag at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian athletes have been competing under a neutral banner. But the IOC recently signaled a shift, telling sports bodies it plans to end that neutrality for the 2028 Summer Olympics. Kostyuk, ranked No. 12 in the world, called the ruling 'terrible' and a violation of fair play.
“My thoughts are that it’s terrible. I think it’s very very far from fair play, for all the countries involved here. Not just for Ukraine. I 100% don’t agree with this decision. I feel like a lot of people spoke out on this issue and they obviously don’t agree as well. I don’t think anything is going to change,” Kostyuk said. “I want to just go out there and hopefully beat every single Russian I play in Olympics, and that’s it.”
The 24-year-old has been a vocal critic of Russian athletes competing under any flag while her country remains under attack. She has refused to shake hands with Russian players throughout the war, with one notable exception: Daria Kasatkina. “The only person I shake hands with is Daria Kasatkina because she didn’t just change her passport, but also openly said she doesn’t support the war and all that,” Kostyuk explained. “That’s why me and other girls decided to shake her hand, simply out of respect. … I don’t necessarily recall [others] speaking out against the war. I don’t know what their intentions were and they haven’t spoken about it. It’s just a flag next to your name, but I don’t see it as a complete picture.”
Kostyuk's stance echoes broader tensions in sports over the IOC's handling of Russian athletes. The decision has drawn criticism from multiple nations, with some calling for stronger sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Kostyuk remains focused on her game, and it's paying off. She's now just two wins away from her first Grand Slam title, having reached the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time.
Her run at the All England Club has also turned heads for her style, with fans buzzing about her flawless white dress on court. But beneath the surface, the weight of her country's struggle is never far. Kostyuk has managed to channel that emotion into peak performance, playing what many consider the best tennis of her career.
As she prepares for her semifinal clash on Thursday, Kostyuk isn't backing down from her principles. She's made it clear that the IOC's ruling won't change her resolve — if anything, it fuels her fire. “I want to just go out there and hopefully beat every single Russian I play in Olympics, and that’s it,” she said, her message as sharp as her groundstrokes.
The tennis world will be watching closely as Kostyuk continues her quest for a maiden major title, all while standing firm on her beliefs. Whether she lifts the Venus Rosewater Dish or not, she's already won respect for her unwavering stance.
