Ukraine has been resisting Russia’s military invasion for almost a week. Tens of thousands of people are fleeing the heavily tested country. Dajana Jastremská, who left her homeland with her 15-year-old sister Ivanna, was no exception.
The young Ukrainian, who was already the 21st player in the world, returned to the courts in June after a six-month sentence for a doping out-of-competition finding. He was discovered with her in January last year, and the appellate tribunal overturned the sentence six months later, saying that “there was no wrongdoing or negligence on the part of Jastrem.”
“I am pleased and relieved to inform you that I have been acquitted,” said the tennis player, who is still one of the great hopes of Ukrainian tennis.
But she had no idea what would affect her country. “We were at home in Odessa on Wednesday. We had time with our family before the long trip to Lyon. The evening was fine and the bombs woke us up in the morning. We didn’t know what was going on. It was crazy. We ran away from the apartment to the underground garage and heard other explosions, “Jastremská describes the frightening moments of the last days.
Subsequently, she fled with her sister to Lyon, and her parents remained in Ukraine. Together they entered the doubles match, where they lost in the first round.
However, the winner of three tournaments managed her single match, despite two Romani matchwords. “I’ve never played a match like this before in my life. Under such stress. I was very nervous. I tried to concentrate on the game, ball by ball, but it was very difficult. I’m proud to win. I was extremely motivated. “
Jastremské now ranks up to 140th place in the rankings, her next opponent will be the Spanish Cristina Bucsa.
The decision of another Ukrainian tennis star, Elina Svitolinová, who first decided not to compete against Russian tennis player Anastasia Potapova at a tournament in Monterrey in protest of the Russian invasion, was then re-evaluated in order to subsequently reconsider her decision. She defeated her opponent 6: 2, 6: 1 smoothly.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s why I play for my country and I do everything I can to use my position and opportunities to convince people to support Ukraine,” said a native of Odessa.
