Elina Svitolina has turned her anger over the Russian invasion of her Ukrainian home into sharp focus on the tennis court, with the new mother moving into the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.
Svitolina’s native Odesa in Crimea was one of the early hotspots in the conflict when Putin launched his invasion in February, 2022.
Svitolina said that her initial shock and grief over her homeland has now morphed into steely determination every time she steps onto the court.
“I just try to think about the fighting spirit that all of we Ukrainians have and how
Ukrainians are fighting for their values, for their freedom,” she said.
“And me, I’m fighting here on my own frontline: I cannot be sad. I cannot be distracted in some ways.
“I (would just lose (matches), When the war started, I was in Mexico in Monterrey, and I was very, very sad. I almost cried when I entered the court.
“I had, like, really heaviness in me.”
She added: “Then I thought, now each time I step on the court I’m going to go 100 per cent out and give everything.
“I’m here to do something for my country. I have a flag next to my name, so I’m fighting for my country, and I’m going to do that each time I step on the court.”
