Elina Svitolina faced an incredibly challenging match at Wimbledon’s fourth round, emotionally burdened by recent attacks in Ukraine, her homeland. After defeating China’s Wang Xinyu and advancing to the quarter-finals, Svitolina, visibly distraught, shared how difficult it was to focus on tennis amidst the tragic news of Russian strikes that resulted in numerous casualties, including significant damage to Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital.
Wearing a black ribbon as a sign of mourning, Svitolina spoke about the mental toll the day had taken on her, emphasizing the disparity between her challenges on the court and the dire situation in Ukraine. She highlighted the struggle of her compatriots, expressing a sense of guilt for celebrating her tennis achievements while her country faced such hardships.
Svitolina, also a mother and an ambassador for United24, a fundraising organization established by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has been vocal about the ongoing conflict. She uses her platform to keep global attention on Ukraine, despite feeling that international interest might be waning.
The tennis community showed support as the crowd on court two offered comfort during her emotional interview. Svitolina’s win set her up for a next match against Elena Rybakina, the highest seed left in the women’s draw and the 2022 Wimbledon champion, who advanced after her opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, retired due to injury.
