Elina Svitolina believes that it is difficult to be competitive in the context of the war in Ukraine. Sky Sports tennis podcast that news from his home country “makes me cry.”
Svitolina’s family was affected by the war in Ukraine, with her grandmother – with whom she remains in constant contact – still based in her hometown of Odessa.
Despite concerns over the well-being of her loved ones back home, the world number 18 managed to reach her third career Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon last year. Svitolina returned to tennis in April 2023 after the birth of her daughter.
“Sometimes it’s really difficult,” Svitolona told Sky Sports tennis podcast.
“I’m happy to have my team around me who understand this. I have friends who I talk to and who help me.
“I talk to her (grandma) every day, keep in touch and check on her mental health.
“My hometown has been under attack for several days now, so it’s been very hard for everyone there. I try to keep an eye on them but the news from there makes me cry.”
Svitolina: Ukraine is my “happy place”
While her home country is at war, the 29-year-old uses tennis and her social media to try to bring change to young people affected by the conflict, also creating the Elina Svitolina Foundation.
“When I got pregnant, the war had just started, so I had time to sit down and figure out what I could do and how I could help my country,” she said.
“I am in a safe place, I travel around the world, I have so many opportunities and that is why I try to create projects for children’s mental health – this has been my mission and as a top athlete in Ukraine, it is important to use it.
Elina Svitolina managed to reach her third career Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon last year.
Svitolina is very proud of her nation, calling it a “happy place”.
“Every time I go back to Ukraine, I get a lot of energy from the people,” she added.
“For me, when I leave after being in Ukraine, after attending tournaments, I feel like I have the energy to give back to them. I want to show good results – they really motivate me a lot.
“I want to make the Ukrainians happy, they are struggling at the moment, so playing tournaments, winning matches and giving them that bit of positivity is what motivates me.”
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