One year after she won Les Petits As in January 2016, Marta Kostyuk has raised the Junior Australian Open in Melbourne. Enough to impress all the tennis specialists and followers. Nevertheless, Marta has hitted again a great shot on her road of success: her first professionnal title. It was on the 8th of May on clay in Hungary (Dunakeszi, 25k). The 14 years old rocket Kostyuk is full of ambitions for her future. And why not shinning again on the Junior French Open at Roland Garros?
Marta, you’re 14 years old and you’ve just won your first professional title. After winning Les Petits As and the Australian Open Junior, what an impressive start for your career!
(In french) Merci !
Let’s come back on your victory on Les Petits As 2016? Can you describe how was this tournament for you – the road from the first round to the title?
Really It’s difficult now to remember all the feelings what I had there, because it was more than one year ago. But it was a huge proud to win this big and amazing tournament. I still have good memories about Les Petits As, good atmosphere and warm welcoming.
Les Petits As tournament is considered as the world championship of tennis U14: what did you feel after winning this title?
Actually she finished the match with the double faults, so I couldn’t celebrate as much I would like to do. But I felt so good and confident to reach that tough achievement. It was a reward for my hard job during previous years.
You just won the Australian Open Junior in January, one year after Les Petits As, how different were your emotions after this achievement?
God, I don’t remember the feelings. I was such a big feeling after winning a Grand Slam. I am really proud of my team and myself that I won both of them in that short time.
What is the influence of your victory on Les Petits As 2016 on your success in the Australian Open Junior 2017?
Les Petits As gave me a lot of confidence. It was more in my age category of course, what I played in LPA. On Australian open, it was wider age category frame (14 to 18 years old), so it was kind of different. But overall, I can say that LPA gave me the feeling that I could be the best again.
Can you tell us 3 words which define your victory on Les Petits As 2016?
Haha, It’s difficult, let’s say – Work, Family, Purpose
Everyone remember your celebration of the victory in Tarbes – an acrobatic salto -, can you tell us more about this?
Actually, we decide with mom to do this every time, when I win a tournament. Only once I could not do this, it was in Australia. I was super existed and I think I forgot almost about everything that time.
This year, it was a little scandal on your social networks – after you posted the photo of your opponent crying after the defeat -, it is the a new threat for the young players, how do you feel with that?
(Surprised) Really? I did not follow the comments. It never happened to me before… I post the photo, where she was hiding her face because my cup felt down and she was kind of laughing, never heard about this before…
Les Petits As has opened a new digital era: website, social medias… did you follow the last edition?
If to be honest, not really, I was in Australia. But I’ve seen the new website, what looks really great and more convinient for players and spectators.
Richard Krajicek, Michael Chang, Martina Hingis, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Kim Clijsters, Richard Gasquet, Rafael Nadal, Dinara Safina, Timea Bacsinzsky, Bethany Mattek… and Marta Kostyuk. What do you feel to see your name next to this prestigious champions who won Les Petits As before?
I have the same feeling as after Australia, because there are also a lot of famous names. I am so proud to add my name to this list of amazing players. That means a lot for me.
Who is your idole?
Me.
What do you consider as your root of success? Is it hidden in your everyday routine, maybe you have some rituals?
You can be surprised but I don’t have any rituals. My success is just about working hard every day.
What are your dreams in tennis?
Write the history.
After winning the first Junior Grand Slam of the year, what are your next goals this season? What expectation do you have from French Open?
My expectation is to improve my tennis all the time. I don’t have really goals to win something. My only ambition is to win the tournament where I play.
How has Les Petits As changed your psychological approach?
Winning such a big tournament has given me more confidence and believe in myself. That’s one of the reason of my success in Australian Open.
What is your feeling after the first professional title?
To be honest, nothing really changes in my life so far. It’s just one more step.