“I just wanted to be in my room, with my emotions,” Elina Svitolina on playing at Wimbledon in the aftermath of devastation caused by Russia’s missile attack in Ukraine

Elina Svitolina could not forget the devastation going on in Ukraine, her home country.

“I just wanted to be in my room, with my emotions,” Elina Svitolina on playing at Wimbledon in the aftermath of devastation caused by Russia’s missile attack in Ukraine

Elina Svitalona (via Imago)

21st seed Elina Svitolina put on a masterclass in her Wimbledon Round of 16 match against Wang Xinyu. The Ukrainian tennis player lost just three games to secure her place in the last eight of Wimbledon.

However, Svitolina’s achievements at SW19 could do little to nullify the emotions she was feeling after her win. Following a recent missile attack by Russia on a children’s hospital, the 21st seed was overcome with emotions in her post-match interview.

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It’s [an] incredibly sad day today for all Ukrainians. It was really difficult for me to really be here in a way and do anything. I just wanted to be in my room, just be there with my emotions, with everything.
Elina Svitolina said in her post-match press conference

On Monday, the Associated Press reported that a Russian missile hit a children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, resulting in the deaths of at least 31 people and injuring 154 others.

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Since returning to tennis after a maternity leave during which she and her husband Gael Monfils welcomed their daughter Skaï, Svitolina has been a vocal supporter of the Ukrainian people, To honor the victims in Ukraine, the 21 seed wore a black ribbon. She also stressed that Wimbledon should have maintained its 2022 ban on Russian players to set a strong example.

Elina Svitolina eased past Wang Xinyu to reach Wimbledon quarterfinal

Elina Svitolina played inspired tennis to reach her third Wimbledon quarterfinal on Monday. She said in her on-court interview that she was playing for a higher purpose.

Elina Svitolina
Elina Svitolina (via Imago)

Formerly ranked world No. 3, the No. 21 seed Svitolina defeated Wang Xinyu 6-2, 6-1. She reached the last eight at the All-England Club for the second year in a row. Last year, she made it to the semifinals with a stunning win over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Svitolina, 29, showed great composure despite the recent tragedy in Ukraine. She defeated Wang in under an hour while her husband, Gael Monfils, watched.

In the quarterfinals, Svitolina will face 2022 champion Elena Rybakina. The Kazakhstan player advanced after No. 17 Anna Kalinskaya retired due to a wrist injury. The other quarterfinal will feature 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko against either 2021 French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova or 11th-seeded Danielle Collins.

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