Elina Svitolina beats Anastasia Potapova and donates prize money to defend her homeland

Elina Svitolina repeatedly hit her heart with the palm of her hand. Wearing the national colors of yellow and blue, the Ukraine tennis player’s eyes sparkled with determination. “I’m not only playing for myself here. I’m playing for my country, I’m playing to help the Ukrainian army and for people in need,” said the 27-year-old after she had mastered what was probably the most emotional game of her career.

Svitolina then announced in a halting voice that she would donate the prize money to defend her homeland. “I’m in a very sad mood, but also happy that I can play tennis here,” said the athlete from Odessa after winning her first round match in Monterrey, Mexico, against a Russian opponent 6-2, 6-1.

Svitolina had also pushed for this and made her start in Mexico and at the following events dependent on the “necessary measures”. At the same time, she paid tribute to Russian colleagues who spoke out against the war and for peace. With Potapova, she gave a sporty high five after the match.

Svitolina wants to win – for her country

The terrible pictures of the suffering in her increasingly destroyed homeland shock the former world number three and semi-finalist at Wimbledon and the US Open, who is actually a cheerful person. But now there is war in their homeland. She speaks regularly to her parents, grandparents and other relatives in Ukraine. “It’s important to keep in touch – to find out exactly what’s happening and how I can help them,” Svitolina said.

Before starting in Monterrey, she also said that it was particularly painful to feel “completely useless”, not being able to help directly. But she wants to fight, with sporting means. “Every win I get will be very special,” said the Ukrainian number one, who also wants to unite the tennis community behind her hard-hit country.

(SID)