Ukrainian tennis star Marta Kostyuk recently opened up about why defeating top WTA players like Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka has always been a challenge for her. She attributed it to the stark difference in their biological structure, admitting that the world’s top two players are “bigger, taller, and stronger” than she is. It is worth noting that the Ukrainian has yet to secure a win against both, Świątek and Sabalenka.
What Did Marta Kostyuk Say About Her Struggles Against Świątek and Sabalenka?
Kostyuk has met Świątek three times on the WTA Tour, and as noted, is yet to score a victory against her. Their most recent clash was supposed to take place in the third round of the Cincinnati Open, but the Pole advanced via walkover after Kostyuk withdrew with a wrist injury. Interestingly, their previous meeting had also come at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, where Świątek cruised to a commanding 6-2, 6-2 win.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has also maintained firm control over the Ukrainian, leading their head-to-head with a dominant 4-0 record. Their most recent encounter came at the 2025 Italian Open, where the Belarusian prevailed 6-1, 7-6(8).
The record underscores Kostyuk’s ongoing struggles against two of the game’s most dominant forces, a topic she recently addressed while speaking to Tennis365. When asked whether she feels intimidated by players like Świątek and Sabalenka, the Ukrainian offered an honest response:
“We all have our own biological structure. Some have a higher level of testosterone, some have lower. It’s just natural and that definitely helps. I feel smaller than them. I try to see how I can beat these players with the tennis skills I have, but I have to work harder to win the points. I have to run a lot more than them to win points.”
In the same interview, Kostyuk acknowledged the physical gap between her and players like Świątek and Sabalenka, admitting they are “much stronger and bigger” than her. She added that since she can’t make herself 10 kilograms heavier, she must give her absolute best to compete with them.
“They are all much bigger than me, much taller than me, much stronger than me. I feel smaller than them. I cannot make myself 10kgs bigger or five centimetres taller so I have to use everything I have at 100 percent. It’s just part of the sport and a very cool challenge for me to take on these players,” she said.
Marta Kostyuk makes an honest confession about her matches with Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/9WdP8p1vEH
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) October 20, 2025
The extent of Kostyuk’s struggles against the world’s top two players is evident in the fact that she hasn’t managed to win even a single set against them. The 2025 season, meanwhile, has been far from ideal, marked by a modest 26–20 win-loss record and no titles to her name so far.
