WTA Rising Stars...MARTA KOSTYUK (UKR)!

Who is Marta Kostyuk? Marta Kostyuk is a tennis player from Ukraine. Marta was born on June 28, 2002. in Chaiky near Kiev. Marta is the daughter of Oleh Kostyuk and his wife, Talina (nee Boyko). Oleh Kostyuk was the technical director of the Kiev Junior Tennis Tournament "Antey Cup", Marta`s mother was a professional tennis player representing Ukraine in the 1990s who reached a career high WTA ranking of No. 391. Marta started playing tennis in her young childhood at the Antey Tennis Club on the west side of Kiev. One of her first coaches was her native uncle Taras Beyko, a respected player for the USSR and Ukraine in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

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Junior career:

The first junior tournament, Marta played with her 13 years at home in Lviv (ITF Lion Cup). Marta came to the finals at her premier tournament but was injured in the finals and handed over the match before the start.

The first significant success, Marta made in February 2016 when she reached the final of the Siauliai Open (G2) tournament in Lithuania. In the final after a major fight, Marta was defeated by Jodie Anna Burrage (GBR) in two sets of 3-6,3-6. The first junior tournament, Marta won in Budimpesta 29 May 2016 (Abris Cup G2). Marta won the great junior in Slovenia, Kaja Juvan 0-6,6-4,6-4. At the end of August, Marta Kostyuk defeated at the second Hungarian Open G2 tournament, in the final Marta won Daniela Vismane (LAT) 6-0,6-1. Marta also won a double title at the same tournament.

In the beginning of 2017, Marta continued with great games and came to the G1 final in Traralgon, Australia where she lost in the final of Iga Swiatek (POL) 3-6,3-6. Marta won the greatest success in her junior career by winning the title at the Australian Open in 2018. In a match that looked like a real WTA match, Marta defeats after a great fight another great young player, Rebecca Masarova (SUI) 7-5, 1-6, 6-4.

By the end of his brilliant junior career, Marta also made final at the 2017 European Junior Championships, won the tournament in Repentigny, Canada (G1) and 2017 ITF Junior Masters in Cheng, China.

Senior career:

Current/Highest rank - singles: 191./116.

Current/Highest rank - doubles: 554./ 549.

The first ITF Futures tournament, Marta played at age 14 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. In her first senior match, Marta lost convincingly to Helen Ploskina (UKR) 0-6,1-6. The first wins at ITF Futures tournaments, Marta made in Sharm el Sheikh (EGY) where she reached the quarter-finals. In the first two matches, Marta won the Czarnik (POL), Morgina (RUS), in order to be defeated by not so famous Serbian tennis player, Barbara Bonic 4-6,7-6,6-7 in the quarter-finals after the big match.

2017:

$15.000 Futures Antalya: Marta crossed the qualifications to the semifinals where she lost to Julia Grabher (AUT) 4-6,6-1,4-6.

$25.000 Dunakeszi (HUN): Marta won the tournament with a win in the final against Bernard Pera (CRO) 6-4,6-3.

In 2017, Marta finished 518th on the WTA Singles Rankings.

2018:

15-year old Marta Kostyuk has proved the bookies wrong and made it to the third round. Marta became the youngest player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in 21 years, and it was the biggest success for her until now. 

In third round, Marta lost from her compatriots, Elina Svitolina (UKR) 2-6, 2-6, but she showed extraordinary talent and shone on the tennis sky.

$60.000 Burnie, Australia: Marta won this tournament after great 5 games. In the final, Marta won Viktorija Golubic (SUI) 6-4,6-3. 

Marta was in a slight decline in the spring and early summer, she failed to qualify for the Wimbledon and US Open, but she finished 118th at the WTA Singles Rankings.

2019:

At the Australian Open, Marta failed to qualify for main draw, she lost her match in QR3 from Paula Badosa Gibert (ESP) in two sets 6-7,3-6. After this tournament, Marta won two matches on two tournaments in Burnie and Launceston, and she performed at the Fed Cup matches in Poland with 3 Wins and 2 Losses.

Kostyuk is managed by great Croatian coach Ivan Ljubicic, who has once rose as high as No.3 in the world rankings and also coaches Roger Federer. Marta`s personality is already big enough for the highway of life.