Things are looking up for Marta Kostyuk, the Ukrainian Tennis sensation. She has one WTA singles title at the 2023 ATX Open in Texas, USA, and one doubles title at the 2022 Slovenia Open, to her name. The 21-year-old has a career-high ranking of World No.32 in singles and World No.27 in doubles.
During her early years, the Ukrainian was predominantly coached by her mother, Talina Beiko. As Talina worked as a Tennis coach, it was a sort of motivation for Marta to go to the courts to train. This would mean, she would be spending quality time with her mom.
It is only recently, after the Championships at Wimbledon that, the youngster availed the services of Sandra Zaniewska. Sandra was known for working with Petra Martic during her heydays between 2017 and 2019. Marta has results to show, as she has already upset two players ranked within the top 10 under Sandra. She hopes that the path taken by her will see the advent of more woman coaches on the tour.
“I’ve been coached by my mom for most of my life, by a woman. I really hope that examples of mine and Sandra will bring more coaches on tour.”
Marta Kostyuk has found a coach and confidant after bringing on Sandra Zaniewska.https://t.co/fI078O1UT4 pic.twitter.com/KSVXVkXhxZ
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) October 3, 2023
It is not without reason that Kostyuk is advocating for more female players to turn towards female coaches. Now, let us delve deeper into the reasons for her to think along those lines and what makes female coaches tick.
Rapport shared between Marta Kostyuk and Sandra Zaniewska
Kostyuk in a recent interview confessed that she isn’t too inclined to work with male coaches due to the usual lag in communication. According to her, she is a person who talks a lot and since male coaches do not mingle that well, the way they express and adjust according to what she feels is found vaunting.
Marta added that Sandra doesnt try to change her from the inside and rather lets her do her own thing without suppressing her emotions. The prodigy added, “I’m feeling very relaxed because I don’t have to pretend or be scared, or I don’t know how to tell her something because I don’t know how she will react…”
Confessing that being a very emotional person most of the coaches would try and control her, Marta was of the view Sandra gives her that leverage to be free and express herself better. The Ukrainian is currently taking part in the 2023 China Open where she has upset the apple cart by taking out World No.7, Ons Jabeur in the Round of 16 in straight sets.
One of the biggest wins of her career 👏@marta_kostyuk ousts Jabeur in Beijing to progress to the Round of 16!#ChinaOpen pic.twitter.com/dUj9zH6LHM
— wta (@WTA) October 3, 2023
Though Kostyuk lost in the first round of the recently concluded Japan Open, she was able to effect the turnaround with Sandra’s perspective. As she puts it, though this trip has been a disaster result-wise, there’s another side to it that makes her feel proud.
Marta Kostyuk didn’t stop there and went on to acknowledge Zaniewska’s words, “Remember how in the beginning of the trip something would happen and you would not be able to play at all? Now look, you’re laughing about it,” which effected the turnaround. Hopefully, such stories inspire more women to take to coaching and players will also feel interested to hire them.