‘Will There Be a Nuclear Attack Tonight?’ – Ukrainian Star Reveals Heart-Rending Fear That’s Stopping Her From Playing Optimum Tennis

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had an adverse impact on tennis players as well. Although they are performing on the tour, the constant fear of attack back at home is always there in their mind. 20-year-old Marta Kostyuk recently completed this year’s schedule on the WTA calendar.

The Ukrainian also spoke about the mental pressure of playing tennis in the constant worry of the situation back at home. Here’s what she said.

Marta Kostyuk speaks about her fears amidst tennis duties

The Ukrainian recently played in her last match of the year. Participating in the Guadalajara Open, she went down against Maria Sakkari in the second round. After the match, the 20-year-old reflected on her mental state amidst the conflict going on in her home country. “The truth is that I feel at a constant disadvantage because of this issue, from the beginning of each game. These last days I have been very nervous. When I wake up in Mexico, most of the day has already passed there, many things have already happened,” she said.

The world number 58 further added, “Every day, just before I go to bed, I think the same thing: ‘Will there be a nuclear attack tonight? What will happen the next time I wake up?”

Read more: ‘She Never Came Up to Me’ – Ukrainian Tennis Star Marta Kostyuk Explains Her Decision to Not Shake Hands With Victoria Azarenka at the 2022 US Open

Ever since the start of the conflict, the tennis world is divided about the participation of Russian and Belarusian players in different tennis tournaments. Wimbledon 2022 became the first Grand Slam this year to ban players from these two countries.

Kostyuk returns home after eight months

Amidst all the chaos back home, the 20-year-old kept playing in different tournaments. After finishing her season the world number 58 finally returned to her home country Ukraine. In an Instagram post she shared recently, we can see her reuniting with her family and friends.

She also made her way to a nearby tennis club and met children out there. We can see the emotions in her eyes when she reunited with her family. Further, the Ukrainian shared a few scenic clips of her homeland to conclude the video.

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Sports has always been a medium of peace. It is lovely to see Kostyuk trying to bring smiles to the faces of people in her country in such hard times.