Roland Garros 2026: French Players Disappoint, Marta Kostyuk Triumphs Over Emotional Pressure

Paris – May 24, 2026: The first day of the French Open held at Roland Garros 2026 marked a complex emotional beginning for French tennis players. Of the 11 participants, only two advanced to the second round. Among them was 19-year-old Giovanni Mupetzi Pericard. He lost a gripping match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic with scores of 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4. Although defeated, the young French player showed impressive play and gained valuable experience on the big stage.

The other French player to reach the second round was 24-year-old Titouan Droguet. He displayed strong play by defeating Czech player Jakub Mensik 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. However, the match was held in high temperatures, making conditions challenging not only for the players but also for the spectators.

Aside from the French players’ results, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk garnered attention. The 23-year-old, who has already won titles this season in Rouen and Madrid, continued her momentum by beating Spain’s Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-2, 6-3. Despite the clear score, Kostyuk’s day was filled with emotional challenges. Hours before the match, she learned of a rocket attack near her parents’ home in Kyiv. “I am very proud of myself today. I think it was one of the toughest matches in my career,” she said after the match. “This morning, a building 100 meters from my parents’ house was destroyed. It was a very tough morning… I didn’t know how to cope and spent most of the morning crying.”

Despite this personal pressure, Kostyuk maintained her focus and secured a spot in the second round. She emphasized the importance of continuing to work hard, citing the unity of the Ukrainian people in difficult circumstances as an example. “I think continuing is important. My greatest role models are the people of Ukraine. When I woke up this morning and realized life in my country is still going on and that Ukrainians continue to help those most in need of support, it gave me strength,” she said.

Thus, the first day of the 2026 French Open was colored by complex emotions. While French players faced their challenges, Marta Kostyuk demonstrated exceptional strength and determination that went beyond tennis.