Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk has revealed the shocking physical toll of her spectacular clay-court run. Speaking openly on Andy Roddick’s tennis podcast, the 23-year-old admitted that her right hip hurt so severely following her Madrid Open victory that she literally could not walk the next morning.
Consequently, this extreme physical breakdown forced the newly crowned WTA 1000 champion to withdraw from the Italian Open in Rome. While the decision was difficult, she chose to prioritize long-term recovery over immediate competition. By resting, she protected her chances for the upcoming grand slam in Paris.
A Brilliant but Exhausting Start to the Clay Season
Before the injury halted her momentum, Kostyuk was playing the absolute best tennis of her career. She kicked off the spring swing by winning the WTA 250 tournament in Rouen, France. Immediately after, she carried that peak form into Spain, winning six high-stakes matches to capture the prestigious Madrid title.
However, playing 11 grueling matches in such a short timeframe severely strained her body. Clay courts demand heavy sliding and intense physical movement. As a result, the rapid accumulation of match play pushed her hip and ankles well past their limits.
The Fearful Morning After the Madrid Open Final
During the podcast interview, the young athlete explained that her hip began acting up well before the tournament ended. Specifically, she battled through intense discomfort during her last three matches in Madrid. Despite the warning signs, she pushed through the pain barrier to secure the championship trophy.
The day after her triumph, the reality of the injury truly set in. “After I woke up after the finals, I couldn’t walk,” Kostyuk shared with Roddick. The sudden lack of mobility terrified her, prompting her team to schedule an urgent MRI scan to look for structural damage.
Balancing the Risks of Roland Garros
Fortunately, the medical imaging results did not bring worst-case-scenario news. However, the doctors noted that her hip joint was still far from perfect. Because the French Open was just around the corner, Kostyuk realized that pushing her body to compete in Rome would be an unnecessary gamble.
She noted that playing a single match in Italy could have aggravated the joint and completely ruined her chances for the rest of the summer. Therefore, she chose caution. Historically, Kostyuk has only reached the round of 16 once at Roland Garros. Nevertheless, if her hip remains fully stable, her current form makes her a dangerous threat for an incredibly deep tournament run.