"It's faded away from news, but the war continues" - says Elina Svitolina
WTASaturday, 23 July 2022 at 04:10
Updated at Sunday, 26 January 2025 at 21:12
Elina Svitolina keeps fighting for her country, and in a recent interview, she reminded fans about the war in her country.
Svitolina, who is currently pregnant, will serve as an umpire in an exhibition match between Iga Swiatek and Agnieszka Radwanska on Saturday. The event is supposed to support Ukraine.
Svitolina will have to spend some time away from the WTA Tour, but she wants to serve as an ambassador for her country and continue reminding people about the war that's happening. Recently, she talked to The Age, explaining how difficult it's been for her since the invasion started.
"When the invasion started, it was tough mentally to compete and to have my family in Ukraine, it was tough to deal with. My priorities and perspective changed. I felt not in the right place when I was playing. It was tough to focus 100 per cent on my job, that’s why I wanted to share my view."
At the same time, Svitolina wants to remind the tennis fans and people that the war is not over. Although it's not so visible in the news anymore, it's still happening.
"But right now I’m happy I could take my time, refocus, find where I’m needed. I want for people to know what is happening - that the war continues - because I feel like it’s faded away a little bit from the news. It’s very important to do everything in my power."
Svitolina also revealed that the Ukrainian tennis players have been in discussion with the WTA, ITF, and Grand Slams, as those are willing to help them and their country.
"All the Ukrainians, we’ve been having roundtables with the WTA, the International Tennis Federation, Grand Slams, explaining the help we need, but they chose to go their separate ways."
"Our Ukrainian people are dying back home, we lost our homes, we lost our training bases, our families are all in danger. Sport has a great responsibility with a lot of media attention, it helps people to understand what is really going on. This is my mission right now."
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