Kostyuk Embraces Her Emotions and Savors Every Moment
Marta Kostyuk, a rising star in professional tennis, embraces her emotions and savoring every moment of her journey. Now at 23, she has gained valuable perspective since turning pro in 2016. While victories are meaningful, Kostyuk highlights the importance of enjoying the process that leads to them.
Kostyuk’s Mindful Approach to Tennis
Ranked 28th in the world, Kostyuk emphasizes a balanced approach to her career. “I’ve always worked until I was exhausted,” she stated in a recent interview with Vogue Ukraine. “But now I’ve realized that you need to live it with excitement, enjoy it, and not suffer and wait for it to end.”
Challenges and Resilience
This past summer, Kostyuk faced significant challenges due to injuries. In Montreal, she suffered a wrist injury that led to her withdrawing from a quarterfinal match against Elena Rybakina. Later, she learned this injury involved a torn ligament. Further frustrations arose when she had to forfeit her match against Iga Swiatek in Cincinnati.
- Injury: Torn ligament in wrist
- Montreal: Retired in quarterfinals against Rybakina
- Cincinnati: Withdrew from match against Swiatek
Despite these setbacks, Kostyuk showed resilience by returning to compete at the US Open, reaching the fourth round for the first time in her career. This experience reinforced the emotional complexity professional athletes navigate regularly. Managing emotions, whether positive or negative, is essential.
Growth and Development
Kostyuk understands that mental strength is just as crucial as physical ability. “All high-level players can play tennis, but your psyche decides a lot,” she remarked. Embracing both good and bad emotions is part of her growth journey. “The most valuable thing is to watch myself change, grow, and develop,” she added.
As she continues her career, Kostyuk’s approach to tennis serves as a reminder to savor every aspect of the journey, ensuring that each moment is filled with enjoyment and personal growth.
