'I Have A Mission Right Now': Svitolina Opens Up About Playing For Her Country

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Elina Svitolina endured a pretty tough 2022 year with the war back home in Ukraine and her pregnancy, but she came out on top with a spectacular 2023 season.

Svitolina skipped much of last year's season due to her pregnancy, but it was also a very challenging time with the situation back home. She remained quite active in support of her country, working with many organizations to raise funds for people in Ukraine.

When she returned to the courts this year, Svitolina played with a lot of passion. She became just one of many mothers who impressed many with their level upon returning, but more than that, she was playing for people back home.

Even now, ahead of 2024, Svitolina considers herself on a mission. In a talk with Forbes, she talked about playing for people back home.

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I feel like I have a mission right now in so many different ways. A lot of Ukrainians are messaging me on Instagram and coming up to me when I was in Ukraine. It is really sweet. They are saying ‘I’m watching matches.’ It is tough days for them with 80 to 90 rocket attacks, but they are finding time to watch my matches. It is really an unbelievable feeling.

One thing that keeps her motivated is simply reminding herself that her situation is not that bad compared to what people back home are going through. It reminds her that her career and life are very privileged as she tries to give back as much as possible.

Each time I have some tough situations, I try to remind myself of what my friends, my family, are dealing with in Ukraine, the horrible situations. I have to be grateful for the moments I get right now, playing big tournaments in front of so many people. As Billie Jean King says, ‘pressure is a privilege.’ I take it this way. I feel like I have a mission right now.

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