“The Ukrainian commented on her victory over Jessica Pegula in the Brisbane semifinals”, — write: sport.ua
– Marta, congratulations. It was very powerful. I got the impression that you were in a hurry somewhere. Do you have an early dinner booked?
– I was in a hurry so as not to get under the sun and shadow on the court, because there is simply a terrible shadow. I thought: I need to finish as soon as possible (laughs). But to be honest, this is, of course, a joke.
I started the match just incredible. But we are all human, and I understood: sooner or later it will end. Maybe today, maybe not today. I am very pleased with how I was able to hold on until the very end of the match.
It’s never easy when you’re up 6-0, 3-0, and you kind of expect it to end like that. But opposite was a stunning tennis player, a top 10 player for many years. I was waiting for a fight, I was waiting for her to return to the match. I was tense until the last draw. To be honest, I even thought that I missed, but the ball hit the court – and yes… I am very, very happy to reach the final.
– Jokes aside, you were extremely serious today. You seemed to be able to do absolutely everything. What do you think was the key factor in the victory?
– I think I took my time in the draws. Against Jess, it’s really important to make her play, make her run. I think I did it very well today, changing the pace. In addition, today was much warmer than in my previous matches, the ball flew faster, and that also gave me a certain advantage. Raffles were shorter and I am very glad that today they were just like that.
But, to be honest, tennis is such a complicated sport that it’s rare that one thing decides everything. It is always a combination of factors. It’s just that today was a really, really good day for me.
– Last question. You have a coach and a husband here, but the family – sisters and dogs – are not around. You said you were going to FaceTime them. Is it important for you to be in touch with loved ones?
– Yes, we receive videos and photos from my husband’s mother every day, she is now taking care of them. We already miss them very much. I haven’t seen them in almost a month, so it’s hard – it’s the longest trip I’ve been without them.
But because of the rules in Australia, everything is very difficult. Maybe one day they will be changed and we will be able to bring them here, but right now it is really not easy. In general, they travel with me almost everywhere, it’s just that Australia and China are very difficult, so they stay at home. But they are my ray of sunshine, and I am very happy that I have them.
Video review of the match Marta Kostyuk – Jessica Pegula