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Every day, Elina Svitolina starts her morning by checking her phone. She reads messages from loved ones in her home country of Ukraine and stays updated on the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite the grim news, the 29-year-old remains determined to stay informed. This struggle has become a significant aspect of her life, just like her career as a tennis player and her role as a mother. And she is managing it all well. As her coach, Raemon Sluiter, commented on Saturday, “I don’t want to use the F-word, but she’s… resilient.”
Svitolina acknowledges that some days can be particularly difficult, but she is aware of it immediately upon waking up. She accepts this as a normal part of her routine and has no desire to avoid it, as she wants to stay informed about what is going on at home.
“I have my grandmother and my uncle, along with their families, so I am eager to stay informed about what is happening. Being in the dark about the situation is a terrible feeling.”
As a prominent athlete in Ukraine, Svitolina has always had a bigger purpose in her games. She holds her bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics close to her heart. However, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, she has actively worked to bring attention to the situation, raise funds, and support humanitarian efforts. She welcomes the pressure and duty that comes with this responsibility.
She states, “It is my purpose.” She explains that she has her own foundation and serves as an ambassador for United24, the official fundraising program of Ukraine. Her goal is to assist individuals in need.
As a tennis player, I am fortunate to have various opportunities. Through my foundation and the United24 team, we strive to organize diverse events to raise funds for the people of Ukraine.
I strive to utilize my platform to raise funds and aid individuals to the best of my ability. This includes bringing attention to ongoing conflicts and promoting donations for children. For instance, I use my foundation to support gifted young tennis players. I aim to leverage my platform in various ways to contribute to the betterment of my nation’s well-being.
Elina Svitolina recognizes that the current events in Gaza and the Red Sea may cause people to lose focus on the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The country, which was once a top news headline, has now been overshadowed by other global issues. However, Svitolina’s efforts to raise awareness and keep Ukraine at the forefront of people’s minds have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous messages of support from her home country and is equally inspired by the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people as they are by her own efforts.
“I received a lot of gratitude from people in Ukraine during my visit in November,” she states. “Their appreciation for my work is a strong motivation for me. Although the 10-day trip was exhausting, I am glad to have done it.”
I am not seeking recognition, instead I want to show my appreciation for the efforts of the people in Ukraine towards our freedom and the preservation of Ukrainian culture. My strong sense of Ukrainian pride is rooted in their actions and serves as a constant source of inspiration for me. Each day, I am filled with a sense of determination and feel a sense of duty to use my abilities for the betterment of others. I am grateful for this connection to my heritage.
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Managing multiple responsibilities can be emotionally and psychologically taxing. Svitolina recognizes this and prioritizes self-care to maintain her mental well-being. Her husband, French player Gaël Monfils, and their daughter Skai provide her with opportunities to have a sense of normalcy. Additionally, her coach Sluiter adjusts her training schedule if needed, as there have been instances where Svitolina’s focus has been affected by events that occurred during the night.
Svitolina’s main responsibility is to win tennis matches. After taking a five-month break to become a mother, she returned to the Tour in March and has achieved impressive results. She made it to the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros and defeated the world’s top-ranked player, Iga Swiatek, at Wimbledon to advance to the semi-finals. While not reaching her first grand slam final was disappointing, the support from the crowd was amazing.
“It was truly the most amazing sensation I’ve experienced on the court,” she expresses. “And the outcome was absolutely incredible as well. It’s unbelievable how much the English community has done and is currently doing for all Ukrainians, including refugees. They have truly welcomed us with open arms. I am extremely grateful to everyone.”
After recovering from a foot injury sustained at the US Open, Svitolina is back in top form and has made it to the final in Auckland. In this tournament, there are endless possibilities. As Sluiter stated, “After last year, nothing would be unexpected.”
Source: theguardian.com
