By Erik Gudris | @atnennis | Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Elina Svitolina is enjoying yet another successful run at Wimbledon. Yet she hopes her on-court victories keeps the focus on the ongoing conflict in her native Ukraine.
The No. 21 seed Svitolina eased her way into the quarterfinals with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win over China’s Wang Xinyu on Monday. Svitolina earned the win with a solid 21 winners and eight aces.
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Svitolina entered Court No. 2 wearing a black ribbon on her kit after Russian missiles hit cities across Ukraine on the same day. The attacks included one on at Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt hospital, the nation’s largest children’s medical center that killed over 30 people according to CNN.
The 29-year-old Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semifinalist, fought back tears during her on-court interview as she acknowledged the attacks.
“It was a good performance from my side today and it’s a very difficult day today for Ukrainian people,” Svitolina said afterwards. So it was not easy to focus on the match today and since the morning it’s very difficult to read the news and just to go onto the court is extremely tough, so I’m happy that I could play today and get a win. Thank you for the support.”
Elina Svitolina, wearing a black ribbon, just defeated Wang Xinyu 6-2, 6-1.
‘It’s a very difficult day for Ukrainian people,’ she begins, before becoming emotional.
‘So yes, it was not easy to focus today on the match…Just to go on the court, it’s extremely tough.’ pic.twitter.com/2nwS5wqvga
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 8, 2024
In her post match press conference, Svitolina said being able to play at Wimbledon and speak out about Ukraine motivated her during the match, despite it being a difficult day for her.
“Yeah, of course this is one of the things that motivated me today, was just I have to put my head down and show up and do my best, my very best. Every Ukrainian is using their own way to raise awareness, to raise money, to help in every possible way they can.
“My way is through tennis. This what’s really motivated me today to do something. I tried to be focused on my job, tried to be focused on what I can control. Just do what I can in a way.”
The way Svitolina refuses to give up on this point 💪
Your Play of the Day, presented by @BarclaysUK #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/3zl0dq5XZP
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 8, 2024
“I’m playing, of course,…
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