'Big Motivation': Ukrainian Svitolina To 'Play For Her Country' Against Belarusian Azarenka

| by Kadir Macar

Every match Elina Svitolina plays is for her country but the one against Victoria Azarenka at Wimbledon will be even more special.

The Ukranian has been quite open about her own personal turmoil due to what has been happening back home. Being pregnant during much of the invasion wasn't easy for Svitolina but she did what she could to raise funds and support the country.

Being back on the WTA Tour doesn't change that. She still champions the same causes while also battling on the court for her compatriots as well. Matches against Russians or Belarusians are very important to Svitolina as she knows that people from her country will be carefully watching. It's certainly a big motivation for her.

I'm playing for my country every single match that I play and this one will be even more special. A lot of Ukrainians will be watching, will be supporting me. I will go out there and put the fighting spirit on and just really fight for every single point. I just try to take it as a big motivation.

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Svitolina has been playing really well at this year's Wimbledon and it's a continuation of solid form which started back at Roland Garros. She's been very motivated ever since returning from pregnancy and it's really showing on the court. One thing that she hopes will be understood by the crowd is the no handshake policy.

There won't be any shaking hands after this match and while that was a bit problematic for the French crowd, Svitolina hopes that the British crowd will be a bit more understanding. She confirmed it in her talk with BBC Sport.

Definitely there was a lot of misunderstanding in Paris because in Strasbourg [at a previous tournament] everyone understood my position as well, so hopefully it will be the same understanding in a way from the British crowd.

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