Kostyuk links biology to losses against Sabalenka and Świątek

Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk said in an interview in Wuhan that physical differences and variations in testosterone levels help explain why she has been unable to beat the sport’s top two players, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek, remarks that prompted widespread reaction online. The 23 year old, ranked 27th, said she feels smaller and must work harder to win points against the world’s No. 1 and No. 2, whom she has yet to defeat.

Kostyuk told reporters that “they are all much bigger than me, much taller than me, much stronger than me,” and added, “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.” She said she compensates by relying on her skills and effort, adding, “I have to use everything I have at 100 percent.” Kostyuk also cited mental factors when describing the gulf between her and the elite players, noting Sabalenka’s confidence on break points: “She just doesn’t care. She has no doubt that she will save them.”

Kostyuk is listed at 5 feet 9 inches, the same height commonly reported for Świątek, while Sabalenka is listed about two inches taller. Her head to head record...