Saba responded to Kostyuk's comment about high testosterone levels: it's just an excuse, and she actually has much more muscle than me.

World No.1 Sabalenka recently responded in a humorous way to Ukrainian player Kostyuk’s previous comments about the “testosterone level differences” between them, which caught the fans’ interest.

The issue originated from Kostyuk’s frank analysis in a past interview. The Ukrainian athlete, discussing her repeated defeats to Sabalenka this year, stated: “We each have distinct physical structures. Some have higher testosterone levels, others lower, which is natural and does provide some advantage.”

She further described her feelings when competing against top power players: “I feel smaller compared to them... I can’t suddenly gain 10 kilograms or grow 5 centimeters taller, so I have to give my all.”

Kostyuk’s discussion went beyond physical traits, delving into psychological differences: “Their confidence is completely different. I’ve played several intense matches against Sabalenka, and you can see how she handles break points—she’s totally unfazed. She truly believes she can turn things around.” She viewed this rivalry as “an interesting challenge” and said she is “enjoying the journey of trying to understand this process.”

Recently, when a host relayed Kostyuk’s remarks to Sabalenka, the Belarusian star gave a brief yet slightly teasing reply: “All I hear here are excuses. The funny thing is, she’s a very strong girl, and she actually has way more muscle than I do.”

Though short, this response cleverly flipped the narrative—Sabalenka not only dismissed the “excuse” storyline but also pointed out that Kostyuk herself is a muscular and physically strong athlete.

A current European tennis commentator remarked on the matter: “Kostyuk’s observation is actually quite insightful. She highlighted a core reality in modern women’s tennis—physical condition is indeed a factor. But the issue is that she views it as unfair rather than as a challenge to overcome.”

Veteran coach Moratoglou emphasized: “Tennis has never been a one-dimensional sport. When Serena Williams dominated, the talk was about power; but when Swiatek emerged, we started discussing spin and long rallies. Smart players like Kostyuk should seek to optimize their game within their existing conditions instead of complaining.”

On social media, this conversation sparked widespread debate:

Supporters of Kostyuk argued: “She simply spoke honestly about what many players feel. Physical differences objectively exist; she’s not complaining but analyzing how to compete differently, which is very professional!”

However, some netizens believed, “Acknowledging an opponent’s strength is not shameful; what’s shameful is refusing to find counter-strategies. Every player has different weapons. Kostyuk’s movement and touch are advantages Sabalenka doesn’t have. There have been many very ‘small’ champions in tennis history, so this can’t be an excuse!”

Many neutral voices focused more on the essence of competitive sports: “That’s the charm of sports—different body types, different playing styles! Physical confrontation is only part of the game; tennis also relies heavily on tactics, match intelligence, emotions, and psychology, all equally important.”

This dialogue inadvertently painted a vivid picture of modern women’s tennis: on one side are power players like Sabalenka and Rybakina, who dominate with serves and strong shots; on the other are players like Kostyuk and Swiatek (who also possesses great power), who rely more on tactical combinations, movement, and game intelligence.

In previous interviews, Kostyuk had already moved beyond simple “physical determinism,” integrating physical condition, mental strength, and match experience into a comprehensive competitive advantage framework. This systematic thinking might be the “mental-technical balance point” she finds when facing stronger opponents.

The remote exchange between Sabalenka and Kostyuk, though seemingly centered on “testosterone levels,” actually touches on a core issue in competitive sports: how athletes perceive their own conditions, view their opponents’ strengths, and seek breakthroughs within given frameworks.

Kostyuk’s candid analysis combined with Sabalenka’s humorous reply together form a picture far richer than mere “controversy”—two top athletes interpreting and responding to the challenges of their sport in different ways. Between power and skill, physique and intelligence, women’s tennis continues to showcase its multidimensional appeal, and such dialogues may well be important catalysts for the sport’s ongoing evolution.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Lu Xiaotian)