Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina spoke emotionally after advancing to the Wimbledon quarter-finals, noting that Monday had been “a very difficult day for Ukrainian people” after a missile strike hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv killing at least 22 people, including two children.
Svitolina was overcome with emotion after her initial remarks, taking 30 seconds to compose herself and stepping away from the microphone while receiving warm applause from the crowd on No 2 Court. The 29-year-old wore a black ribbon, which was approved by Wimbledon, as she defeated China’s Xinyu Wang 6-2 6-1 in less than an hour.
Speaking later in her press conference Svitolina said it was an “incredibly sad day today for all Ukrainians”. The No 21 seed continued: “It was really difficult for me to really be here in a way and do anything. I just wanted to be in my room, just be there with my emotions, with everything.
“For us Ukrainians, it’s very close to our heart and a very sensitive topic, very sensitive emotions that we feel every single day. But today was one of the days where it was even more difficult because the missile landed on the hospital, the kids’ hospital. Straightaway you see the images and everything that happened there. So many kids lost their lives.”
Svitolina’s uncle, grandmother and more family and friends remain in Ukraine, with her father visiting in recent weeks, with Svitolina adding she remains in contact with them every day.
Asked about Wimbledon’s decision to allow players from Russia and Belarus to compete under a neutral flag, after they were banned in 2022, Svitolina said she would prefer for players from those nations to not participate in the championship.
“Of course, I would prefer that. But it is how it is now. I cannot change. We tried every possible way to talk with many organizations,” Svitolina said.
“For now I just want to raise awareness, to raise funds for people in need, to raise support for the kids through my foundation, through United24. So many ways we can help people and not only focus on the things we cannot control.”
Adding that it was hard to feel happy about her win given the guilt that so many Ukrainians feel when many people cannot leave the country and are at war, “fighting, defending our front lines”, Svitolina added that the war had not been discussed often with fellow players in the locker room aside from fellow Ukrainians.
“Especially on such a day, it’s such a big topic for us, the Ukrainians. With any others, not too much. Also because I feel like the news are much calmer right now about what’s really going on.”
Svitolina’s next opponent will be the No 4 seed Elena Rybakina, who was born in Russia but switched federations from Russia to Kazakhstan when she was 19.
Asked whether she would shake Rybakina’s hand after their match, Svitolina replied: “She changed her nationality, so it means she doesn’t want to represent her original country, so it works.”
Source Agencies
