Many top players protested the prize money on offer at Roland Garros by committing to walk out of press conferences after 15 minutes.
However, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk wasn’t one of them…
Will players regret their decision to walk out of press conferences at Roland Garros?
Tensions are high in Paris!
During her pre-tournament press conference, Kostyuk explained her decision.
Marta Kostyuk ‘just chose not to’ participate in the Roland Garros media protest
“Well, I’ve been informed. I just chose not to do it, and that’s it,” she said.
“I mean, I’m aware of the conversation that is going on, and I fully respect players for bringing these causes out, fighting for them, and fighting for the future of tennis. I think it’s very important.
“I was never part of any conversation.
“I’m aware of it, but I was never there.
“And again, it’s difficult; tennis is a unique and complex sport. It’s difficult to compare it to team events, team competitions, because tennis has multiple stakeholders, shareholders?
“I think to continue the conversation is super important.
“I’m going to be fulfilling my obligations this week.
“I’m excited to be here.”
Kostyuk wasn’t the only player to make such a decision, as 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic didn’t protest either.
The Ukrainian wants to remain fully focused on Roland Garros and the conclusion of her superb clay-court season.
Marta Kostyuk responds when asked if she can challenge for the Roland Garros title
Kostyuk is the only player in women’s tennis to have won multiple WTA Tour clay-court titles this year.
She is unbeaten on the surface, winning a Billie Jean King Cup tie for Ukraine, the Open de Rouen, and the Madrid Open.
Marta Kostyuk’s 2026 clay-court record (12-0)
- Billie Jean King Cup Q [WIN] vs Magda Linette, 6-4, 6-0
- Open de Rouen 1R [WIN] vs Diane Parry, 6-1, 6-4
- Open de Rouen 2R [WIN] vs Caty McNally, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
- Open de Rouen QF [WIN] vs Ann Li, 6-0, 6-7, 6-3
- Open de Rouen SF [WIN] vs Tatjana Maria, 6-3, 6-0
- Open de Rouen F [WIN] vs Veronika Podrez, 6-3, 6-4
- Madrid Open 2R [WIN] vs Yulia Putintseva, 6-1, 6-3
- Madrid Open 3R [WIN] vs Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 6-4
- Madrid Open 4R [WIN] vs Caty McNally, 6-2, 6-3
- Madrid Open QF [WIN] vs Linda Noskova, 7-6, 6-0
- Madrid Open SF [WIN] vs Anastasia Potapova, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1
- Madrid Open F [WIN] vs Mirra Andreeva, 6-3, 7-5
Even still, Kostyuk wasn’t prepared to consider herself a Roland Garros contender.
“In the last four Grand Slams, I lost in the first round, in three of them!” she said.
Marta Kostyuk’s Grand Slam results since 2020
| Grand Slam | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Australian Open | Q1 | 1R | 3R | 3R | QF | 3R | 1R |
| French Open | 1R | 4R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 1R | – |
| Wimbledon | – | 2R | 2R | 3R | 3R | 1R | – |
| US Open | 3R | 1R | 2R | 1R | 3R | 3R | – |
“It’s a very big jump, I try not to think about this at all.
“If people think I can do it, I’m capable of it, great.
“I’m only thinking about my first match. If I win my first match, or when I win my first match, I’m going to be thinking about my second match.
“I’m definitely not thinking about the whole thing, because it’s just too much.
“I think if you ask any player, who is here whether it’s number one in the world, 10, 100, whatever, if they’re going to start the tournament thinking they are going to win it from the first round, it’s going to be difficult to bare this, and too difficult to just play tennis, you will think about the result, the outcome.
“This is not the point; the point is to enjoy it.”
Kostyuk isn’t getting ahead of herself, and plans to take each match as it comes.
She will play her first match of the tournament against Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva on Sunday, May 24.