\n<\/p>\n
Kostyuk was one of the leading players in the clay-court swing, claiming two successive titles before reaching the French Open semi-finals.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old did not play a tournament before Wimbledon, instead returning home to Ukraine and having a holiday in Greece.<\/p>\n
While she said she was optimistic of transferring her clay form to the grass, she had also not won on the surface for two years going into this year’s championships.<\/p>\n
“I feel like a lot of years that I played here, I played horrendous,” Kostyuk said.<\/p>\n
“I could not find my tennis on this surface, on any tournament. It was a really complicated relationship for me.”<\/p>\n
Kostyuk still was not convinced when she arrived in London almost three weeks ago. <\/p>\n
Losing practice sets to 44-year-old Serena Williams and Jessica Pegula did not swell her confidence, but the words of coach Sandra Zaniewska did.<\/p>\n
“I turned to Sandra and said: ‘Can you please tell me, honestly, right now, if you think that grass suits my game?’ She said: ‘100%’,” Kostyuk said.<\/p>\n
“That gave me something to hold onto.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n