Marta Kostyuk won her first WTA 1000 title at the Madrid Open on Sunday, a milestone that comes after years of carrying the weight of early acclaim. The Ukrainian player broke through as a 14-year-old and won her first WTA match at the Australian Open at age 15, setting expectations that have shadowed her career for nearly a decade.
In her post-match press conference, Kostyuk reflected on the psychological shift this victory represents. Tennis Majors reported that the 23-year-old described the burden of early stardom as "almost like a curse," suggesting she has now moved past the pressure that defined much of her early career.
The Madrid title is significant for the WTA tour calendar, as WTA 1000 events rank among the tour's most prestigious competitions outside the Grand Slams. Kostyuk's breakthrough at this level signals a maturation in her game and may mark the beginning of a new chapter after years of living up to prodigy expectations.
Sources
- Tennis Majors: "It was almost like a curse": Marta Kostyuk on finally letting go of the 15-year-old prodigy. Published 2026-05-03.
Reported from public sources.