French Open semi-finalist consoled by interviewer after breaking down in emotional speech | Tennis | Sport

Marta Kostyuk was consoled by Marion Bartoli as she became emotional after reaching her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open. The Ukrainian has still not lost a match on clay this year, and beat countrywoman Elina Svitolina 6-3 2-6 6-2, and was then asked about her incredible feat during her on-court interview.

The 15th seed couldn’t answer, covering her face and taking deep breaths to stop herself from crying. And Bartoli, a retired former Wimbledon champion, came over to hug her before continuing the interview.

As Kostyuk stepped up to the microphone, Bartoli told her: “Marta, it’s a historical day. After so many days on the tour, doubts, difficulties, injuries. Here you are, for the first time ever, in your whole career, in the semi-final of a Grand Slam, here in Roland Garros. What are the emotions?”

The 23-year-old welled up as the weight of her achievement sunk in, and couldn’t reply. “ Don’t cry otherwise I’m going to cry as well,” Bartoli added, stepping forward to embrace the emotional Ukrainian.

Kostyuk managed to hold it together, and started her interview by sending a powerful message to her home country after winning the all-Ukrainian quarter-final against seventh seed Svitolina.

“First, I want to start with this historical match that we played today with Elina,” she told the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd. “We had a very difficult night again in Ukraine, especially Kyiv, so many people dead. I want to give this match to the people of Ukraine and to their resiliance. Thank you. Slava Ukraini.”

The crowd responded with a rousing applause before Kostyuk turned her attention to her opponent. “Of course, I want to point out Elina and her incredible impact on Ukrainian tennis, on Ukrainians, and on me, and everyone who is watching. She’s an unbelievable fighter and I’m so happy to be into the semi-finals but I want to thank her again for this incredible match,” she continued.

Kostyuk also received a warm reception when Bartoli informed her, and the crowd, that she was the first Ukrainian to reach the last four here. And the 15th seed then turned her attention to the match.

“I missed one point in the beginning of the third set, and I looked at Sandra [Zaniewska, coach], and she was really, really p**ed! It was really difficult first two sets, and yeah, I think I wasn’t aggressive enough, and then I found rhythm,” she explained. “I was struggling a little bit, I’m very happy I committed to it I was thinking, ‘How do I want to play if I want to win the tournament?’ and this was the answer, and it worked.”

Kostyuk has already lifted trophies in Rouen and Madrid this clay season. At WTA 1000 level, the Madrid Open was her biggest title, and she celebrated by doing a backflip. And she will no doubt do the same if she can claim a maiden Grand Slam crown on Saturday.

She added: “In Madrid, I practised [the backflip] the day before final. Here, I don’t need to practice anymore, I just did it one month ago. I made a promise, I only do it one more time when I win a Grand Slam, and that’s it.”

And Kostyuk finished her interview with a special plea. “I want to say one more thing that’s very important, I think it’s important for me and Elina. We both have foundations that support tennis in Ukraine, so I would be very thankful if you donate, and help, and support Ukrainian tennis. Thank you so much,” she told the crowd.

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