Tennis

Marta Kostyuk, the No. 19 seed at the 2024 US Open, has opted to stay in Brooklyn rather than Manhattan during the tournament. She finds the hustle and bustle of Manhattan too distracting for her to perform at her best.Kostyuk, who is coached by former WTA pro Sandra Zaniewska, has had a challenging two years due to the ongoing Russian-Belarusian invasion into Ukraine. She has become a de facto sportswoman for her country, representing Ukraine at the Summer Olympic Games.Despite the challenges, Kostyuk has had a career-best season, reaching the semifinals at the BNP Paribas Open and the third round at the US Open. She credits her improved mental resilience to her increased experience and maturity.Kostyuk's Olympic experience was particularly emotional, as she represented Ukraine alongside her fellow athletes. She lost a heartbreaking match in the quarterfinals but still cherishes the experience.After her Olympic defeat, Kostyuk flew to the National Bank Open and Cincinnati, where she had solid performances. She is now focused on her US Open run, where she has yet to lose a set.Kostyuk's next opponent is American Emma Navarro, who narrowly defeated her in Toronto. Kostyuk is confident in her abilities and is determined to keep building on her success.