Marta Kostyuk blasts Russian players for Ukraine war silence ahead of French Open clash with Mirra Andreeva
Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk has launched a scathing attack on Russian players, accusing them of hiding behind silence regarding the war in Ukraine and asserting that their inaction has revealed “whose side they are on” after four years of conflict.
The 23-year-old secured her place in the final four by defeating fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-3 2-6 6-2 in an emotionally charged quarter-final, played just hours after another night of Russian strikes targeted Kyiv.
Marta Kostyuk blasts Russian players for Ukraine war silence
Ukraine’s Kostyuk is due to face Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in the French Open semi-finalsJamie Braidwood4 June 2026 12:10
The Russia-Ukraine war looms over the French Open
The latter stages of the women’s tournament have seen superb runs from a number of Russian and Ukrainian players, throwing the spotlight further on one of tennis’ most critical flashpoints – and the sport’s inability to reckon with it
The Russia-Ukraine war looms over the French Open – and tennis has no answers
The latter stages of the women’s tournament have seen superb runs from a number of Russian and Ukrainian players, writes Flo Clifford in Paris, throwing the spotlight further on one of tennis’ most critical flashpoints – and the sport’s inability to reckon with it Flo Clifford 4 June 2026 12:05
French Open: Today’s Order of Play
Mixed doubles final
Errani and Vavassori (1) vs Dabrowski and King
Women’s singles semi-final
From 3pm
Kostyuk (15) v Andreeva
Followed by
Shnaider (25) v Chwalinka (Q)
Jamie Braidwood4 June 2026 12:01
Good afternoon and welcome
What else will this extraordinary French Open deliver? For the first time since 1977, both men’s and women’s draw feature no former grand slam champions in the semi-final line-ups. A first-time winner will be crowned in Paris on Saturday and Sunday.
Today, we will find out which two players will compete in Saturday’s women’s final. First, there will be a repeat of the Madrid final as eighth seed Mirra Andreeva faces the 15th seed Marta Kostyuk. Two in-form players.
Then, it’s the battle of the left-handers as the 25th seed Diana Shanaider plays the qualifier Maja Chwalinska. No one had either player in their semi-final line-up, but who can take the next step on a huge day of opportunity?
Jamie Braidwood4 June 2026 12:00