Tennis player Elina Svitolina burst into tears after her victory at Wimbledon. There had been a devastating attack in her home town shortly beforehand
After a convincing victory at Wimbledon, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina burst into tears on the court. The reason was a Russian missile attack on her home town of Kiev, which also hit a children’s hospital.
“Today is a very difficult day for Ukrainians,” said Svitolina in tears after the match. “It wasn’t easy to concentrate on the game today. This morning it was very difficult to read the news and then go to the court. “
The 29-year-old had won her round of 16 match at Wimbledon on Monday against the Chinese player Wang Xinyu 6:2, 6:1. But as she said after her victory, the day was anything but easy for her
Switolina’s emotional reaction
The terrible reason for her emotions were the recent developments in her home country Ukraine. Just a few hours before the match, Russia had fired missiles at the capital Kiev. At least 40 people lost their lives in the capital and more than 80 were injured.
One of the largest children’s hospitals in Kiev was also badly damaged. Kiev’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said that 16 people were injured in the hospital, including seven children.
To commemorate the victims of the attack, Svitolina wore a black bow on her dress during her match – for which she had received an exemption, as all Wimbledon participants usually have to be dressed in all white.
A “small light” for Ukraine
The world number 21 saw her sporting role and responsibility: “I also have to think about how I can use this for the Ukrainian people. At least my victory today was a small light that gave the people of Ukraine a happy moment,” said the player in an interview.
On social media, numerous viewers reacted to the emotional words with signs of solidarity. It was also discussed that Svitolina will now face Russian-born Yelena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
Although Rybakina was born in Moscow, she has represented Kazakhstan since 2018. “She has changed her nationality, which means she doesn’t want to represent her original country – so it works,” replied Svitolina when asked whether she would shake Rybakina’s hand.
