Kostyuk’s Ankle Tear Derails Melbourne Momentum
A grueling first-round battle at the Australian Open turned sour for Marta Kostyuk when an ankle injury forced her out, cutting short a strong start to the year and sidelining her doubles campaign.
In Melbourne’s punishing heat, Marta Kostyuk fought through a marathon first-round clash at the Australian Open, her aggressive baseline game pushing the limits on the fast hard courts. The Ukrainian, seeded No. 20, traded heavy topspin forehands crosscourt, building pressure in long rallies that tested both players’ endurance. But toward the end of the third set, her left ankle rolled awkwardly, turning a tight contest into a painful withdrawal.
Elsa Jacquemot ousted Kostyuk 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) after saving a match point, her defensive lobs and down-the-line passes frustrating the higher-ranked player’s one–two punch. The Frenchwoman’s ability to step inside the baseline neutralized Kostyuk’s inside-out forehands, extending points on the Plexicushion surface where bounce favors quick adjustments. Crowd murmurs grew as Kostyuk hobbled through the final tiebreak, her focus shifting from tactics to sheer grit.
“Unfortunately, I injured my ankle during my match today, and after further tests, torn ligament was confirmed,” Kostyuk wrote Sunday on Instagram.
Brisbane surge fuels high expectations
Kostyuk entered the tournament riding a wave from Brisbane, where she finished runner-up to top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, her varied returns and flat inside-in shots disrupting the world No. 1’s rhythm on similar hard courts. That final had showcased her tactical evolution, blending topspin loops with sharp angles to force errors and build confidence for the Slam season. The Australian Open, always a favorite for its speedy conditions that suit her power game, promised a deep run to capitalize on that momentum.
Yet the early-year schedule’s intensity had already strained her footwork, amplifying the risk in high-stakes matches like this one. Jacquemot‘s underspin backhands slowed the tempo, drawing Kostyuk forward and exposing any mobility lapses. The injury not only ended her singles hopes but echoed the fine margins that define breakthroughs on tour.
Injury disrupts doubles partnership
With the ligament tear confirmed, Kostyuk announced her withdrawal from doubles alongside Elena-Gabriela Ruse, a duo whose complementary styles—Kostyuk’s net poaching paired with Ruse’s steady returns—could have sparked upsets in Melbourne’s draw. The setback sidelines her for weeks, shifting focus from competition to rehabilitation on these very courts she loves. “The Australian Open has always been one of my favorite tournaments, so this isn’t how I imagined my run ending,” she said. “But that’s part of the sport.”
Psychologically, the timing stings at a pivotal moment, with Brisbane’s success positioning her for a top-15 climb. Recovery now demands mental recalibration, preserving the speed essential for her aggressive patterns on fast surfaces. “Despite the setback, Brisbane was a great way to start the year, and I’m thankful for that momentum,” Kostyuk added. “Now it’s time to focus on recovery, and I’m excited to be back on court as soon as possible.”
As the tournament progresses without her, Kostyuk’s path turns inward, a quiet rebuild that could sharpen her edge upon return, turning this hurdle into fuel for the hard-court swing ahead.