Martha Kostyuk told about courts in Rome and confrontation with Arina Sobolenko

– To be honest, with Rome I never had particularly warm memories (laughs). But if without jokes, then the state of the courts really leaves much to be desired. Although, to be frank, the situation almost does not change from year to year.

I have been playing here since 2021 and I will not remember any cases when the cover would be smooth and stable. It may have been different before, but from my experience – this has become the reality of this tournament.

– I appreciate the match very well. I really did everything I could. Apparently, it was my first such a meeting against the tennis player with the top 2, in which I went to the court as much as possible and gave all the strength without residue. A little lucky – but it is tennis, it will still be lucky. The most important thing I was satisfied with myself: both my mood, and how I fought – despite neither the account, nor the situation, nor the weather conditions. It was a very strong match in my performance. And in such duels, always someone wins … This time – not me.

As for the situation on the Tai Breika … We really planned to turn to WTA-Sandra (Zavvskaya) wanted to ask a few questions. You may be back to Rolan Harros. Although, of course, nothing will change.

Such episodes are very situational. Whatever the rules, the decision of a judge on the tower is almost impossible to challenge – everything happens in a second. And the situation there was really strange. If Sobolenko stopped the draw before the first submission, I would not have any questions. But the draw had already begun, and she had no right to interrupt him.

The most abroad is that she then said openly in an interview: yes, I did it intentionally not to give a double mistake. I really have a lot of questions – and no answer. But it happens. She is now living with this decision (laughs).

– In an interview, Elina Svitolina told us that the courts in Rome were very slow and with lots of soil. In the match against Sobolenko is this for you rather plus or minus?

– I think rather plus. Arina will have to move more, because on such courts the draws are longer – this is not Madrid, where everything happens quickly. I will have more time here to get the balls. She has a very heavy, dense serving and deep blows, and in Madrid, with his height and speed of coating, it was especially noticeable – it was really difficult to contrast something.

So it seems to me that the local conditions are more suitable for my game. But at the same time Arina is not just a rival, she is the first racket of the world. It is always difficult to cover or location. Let’s see how everything will happen.