Elina Svitolina ‘fighting for Ukraine’ vs Aryna Sabalenka at French Open

Ukrainian super mum Elina Svitolina will take her fight on her tennis “frontline” to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter-finals of the French Open on Tuesday. The former world No 3 only returned to action in April after giving birth to her first child in October.

But after winning her first event since 2021 in Strasbourg on the eve of Roland Garros – and giving her prize money to Ukrainian children’s charities – Svitolina has beaten two Russians to reach the last eight in Paris. Now she faces the Australian Open champion Sabalenka, who has not spoken after her last two victories after claiming she did not feel “safe” after a post-match exchange with a Ukrainian journalist at the tournament.

Hostilities between the two nations will resume in Paris on Tuesday. Before facing Sabalenka, she said: “I have played last two matches against Russian players so it will not change, everything will be same. So I’m used to it now, it’s gonna be the same.”

But earlier in the tournament, the world No 192 explained: “For me when I step on the court, I just try to think about the fighting spirit that all of us Ukrainians have and how Ukrainians are fighting for their values, for their freedom in Ukraine. And me, I’m fighting here on my own frontline.

“I cannot be sad. I cannot be distracted in some ways. I’m just going to lose, you know. So that’s why I remember when the war started, I was in Mexico in Monterrey, and I was very, very sad. I almost cried when I entered the court. I had, like, really heaviness in me.

Must read…
Alexander Zverev earns French Open standing ovation for ‘shot of the tournament'[REACTION]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

“Then I thought, you know, now each time I step on the court I’m going to go 100 per cent out and give everything because I’m here to do something for my country. I have a flag next to my name, so I’m fighting for my country, and I’m going to do that each time I step on the court.”

Svitolina acknowledged Russian No 1 Daria Kasatkina, who has spoken up against the war, but will not shake hands with Russians or Belarusians. She said: “It started, with the Ukrainian government, that went to meetings with the Russian government. They were against shaking hands because they’re not sharing the same values, obviously, and what it’s doing, what the Russians doing to our country.

“So that’s why it follows. We are Ukrainians, we all unite for one goal, for the goal of winning this war. So I’m Ukrainian. I’m standing for my country. I’m doing everything possible in the way to support, to give a good spirit for the men, for the women who are right now in the front line who are fighting for our land, for our country.

“So can you imagine the guy or a girl who is right now in a frontline, looking at me and I’m, like, acting like nothing is happening. I’m representing my country. I have a voice. I’m standing with Ukraine. I’m standing, I have my position in this war. What is Russian government or Russian soldiers are doing on our land is really, really terrible.

Don’t miss…
Russian tennis star preparing Wimbledon request after storming French Open run[LATEST]
John McEnroe picks sides between Novak Djokovic and French Open fans[VERDICT]
Novak Djokovic warns French Open rivals with Serb closing in on Alcaraz showdown[QUOTES]

“For us, it’s just our position in this, and it touches many different areas. It touches sport, it touches acting, it touches all different areas. So, you know, we are all united, Ukrainians. And this is our position.”

With no French singles players left at Roland Garros, the wife of Gael Monfils has been adopted by the home crowd – and fans around the world. “I feel really, really thankful for that, and it gives me a motivation to work hard, to be there all the time at my best,” she said. “Definitely the support is a huge motivator and a huge thing that keeps you motivated.”

Asked if events in Ukraine are motivating her, Monfils told L’Equipe: “It is something that is difficult to explain because I live it, I support her. To see all that she has done off the court and what she manages to do, it is crazy.

“It is difficult for people to understand but she is in something really heavy. It is in situations like that that you learn even more about your wife. I see someone standing up for their country. Hats off to her.” Svitolina has reached the last eight here three times – in 2015, 2017 and 2020 – without reaching the semi-finals.

“I am super happy for her,” said Monfils. “I have seen the road she has taken to get back to the top. When she told me she was pregnant, I think she was in the top ten. It is her first Grand Slam since and to get to this level, it is monstrous. And we hope it is not over yet and she will do better than her best result here.”

Source: Read Full Article