‘They are all much bigger than me’ - Marta Kostyuk claims Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek’s ‘testosterone levels’ make them better

The 23-year-old Ukrainian offered the explanation that the size of Sabalenka and Swiatek’s bodies is a factor in what separates them from her in the rankings.

In a recent interview with Tennis365 in Wuhan, Kostyuk said: “Against Iga, when I have played her, I wasn’t ready to play her at all. I played her over a year ago and she was very strong. With Aryna, I know it is a tough battle. I have my own skills, but at the end of the day, they are all much bigger than me, much taller than me, much stronger than me.”

When asked if she felt “intimidated” by players like Sabalenka and Swiatek, Kostyuk replied: “We all have our own biological structure. Some have a higher level of testosterone, some have lower. It’s just natural and that definitely helps.

“I feel smaller than them. I try to see how I can beat these players with the tennis skills I have, but I have to work harder to win the points. I have to run a lot more than them to win points.

“I cannot make myself ten kilograms bigger or five centimetres taller, so I have to use everything I have at 100 per cent. For other players, they have more of an advantage in other things. This is just the way I am.

“I look at the photos when we shake hands at the net and I look so much smaller than some of my opponents. It’s just part of the sport and a very cool challenge for me to take on these players. There are many, many things I can do to be better, but they have an advantage on me.”

Kostyuk is listed as 5ft 9in on the WTA’s website - the same height as World No 2 Swiatek and just two inches shorter than the the World No 1 Sabalenka, who is 5ft 11in. World No 3 Coco Gauff is also 5ft 9in, while the World No 6 Jasmine Paolini has reached grand slam finals at Wimbledon and Roland Garros at 5ft 4in.

The Ukrainian has lost all four matches she has played against Sabalenka - including two close matches at the Madrid Open and Italian Open this season - and all three she has played against Swiatek, with their latest meeting coming in Cincinnati in August 2024.

Kostyuk acknowledged that mental strength also plays a part and admitted that she does not find it “so easy” to play without doubt. She added: “Their confidence is just different. I have played some close matches against Aryna and you see how she plays the break points. She just doesn’t care.

"She has no doubt that she will save them. She hits a big serve and hits the forehand. No doubt. She is No 1 in the world, she has played a lot of finals and she has that confidence.”

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