In a symbolic move, Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina wore yellow and blue colors as she took on Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in the first-round match at the Monterrey Open Tuesday in Mexico.
Svitolina beat Potapova 6-2, 6-1 and said she was “on a mission for my country” amid the war in Ukraine.
“Today, it was a very special match for me,” Svitolina told the Daily Mail. “I’m in a very sad mood, but I’m happy that I’m playing tennis here. I was focused. I was on a mission for my country. From the beginning, it was important to be ready for anything that comes my way.”
The 27-year-old tennis star chose to compete over boycotting the event, saying she could make a bigger impact on the court.
Words of thanks from @ElinaSvitolina ?? ? pic.twitter.com/YcnKu6ff95
— wta (@WTA) March 2, 2022
“All the prize money that I’m going to earn is going to be for the Ukrainian army,” Svitolina said. “Thank you so much for your support.”
The Monterrey Open champion is set to receive $31,000 in prize money. Svitolina won the tournament in 2020.
FEDEX AND UPS HALT SHIPMENTS TO RUSSIA AMID WAR IN UKRAINE
Prior to the tennis tournament opening, Svitolina pressed the sport to follow the International Committee’s lead and require players from Russia and Belarus to be listed as “neutral athletes, without displaying any national symbols, colours, flags or anthems.”
Svitolina said the call was not a personal attack against any athletes.
✊??? #Ukraine #Україна #StandWithUkriane pic.twitter.com/1LT4WjrYI9
— Elina Monfils (@ElinaSvitolina) February 28, 2022
“I do not blame any of the Russian athletes,” Svitolina posted on Twitter. “They are not responsible for the invasion of our motherland.”
The tennis star added her gratitude for all who have supported Ukrainians.
“Moreover, I wish to pay tribute to all the players, especially Russians and Belarussians, who bravely stated their position against the war,” Svitolina said. “Their support is essential.”
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Currently No. 15, Svitolina is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist with 16 career tour-level singles titles. She has been ranked as high as No. 3. Svitolina will next face Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova in the second round.
