The French Open 2026 women’s singles semi-finals are set against the backdrop of ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Marta Kostyuk, representing Ukraine, will face Mirra Andreeva of Russia on Thursday, with both players navigating their respective nations' tensions.

Kostyuk, 23, has been a vocal critic of the war since it escalated in February 2022. Recently, she recounted a harrowing experience where a missile struck a building only 100 meters from her family home in Kyiv. "The biggest thing I can do is sit here and talk about [the war] so more people can find out about it and don't get used to this terrible life," she stated after defeating fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals.

On the other hand, Andreeva, 19, prefers to avoid discussions about the conflict, focusing solely on her performance. "It doesn't matter who I play. I really try to play against the ball that is coming at me," she remarked, as she prepares for her second semi-final appearance at Roland Garros, having reached this stage previously in 2024.

The two players are meeting for the second time in weeks; Kostyuk triumphed in their recent Madrid Open final, winning 6-3, 7-5. Notably, there was no handshake between the competitors then, a stance taken by Ukrainian players since the invasion began, and this will remain consistent at Roland Garros.

Should Kostyuk secure her 18th consecutive clay-court victory, she may face another Russian player, Diana Shnaider, in the final. Shnaider, 22, reached her first major semi-final after defeating Belarusian world number one Aryna Sabalenka. Before her match against Oleksandra Oliynykova, Shnaider was accused of supporting the invasion due to her participation in a Gazprom-sponsored event in St. Petersburg. Shnaider defended her choice, stating it was her only chance to play before her family.