Overview
- In the Tennis365 interview, Kostyuk said some players have a higher level of testosterone and described feeling smaller and less powerful against the top two.
- Coverage notes she provided no evidence for the hormone claim, points to similar WTA-listed heights with Swiatek and a two-inch gap to Sabalenka, and reiterates that artificial testosterone use is banned.
- Kostyuk’s competitive context includes a 0-4 record versus Sabalenka and 0-3 versus Swiatek, which she referenced when discussing the gap.
- Tennis365 published a clarification saying the remarks followed a question about intimidation, acknowledged initially omitting her line that players “don’t take anything,” and reported she faced abusive online reactions.
- Sabalenka’s Dubai social posts were portrayed by some outlets as an indirect response, though that interpretation is speculative and there has been no official finding on Kostyuk’s claim.