Elina Svitolina says she hopes to unite the tennis community to stand with Ukraine following her first round win at the Monterrey Open.
The world No.15 had threatened to pull out of this week’s tournament in Mexico after being drawn to play Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in her opening match. Svitolina had said she wanted Russian and Belarussian athletes to play under a neutral status due to their country’s involvement in the ongoing war against Ukraine. She reversed her decision after tournament organizers reached an agreement where the Russian flag would not be displayed during her first round match.
Taking to the court, Svitolina stormed to a 6-2, 6-1, win over Potapova who is currently ranked 81st in the world. During the match she won 68% of her service points and broke her opponent five times.
“I was on a mission for my country,” BBC Sport quotes Svitolina as saying following the match. “I’m in a very sad mood, but I’m happy I’m here playing tennis.
“I think it’s my mission to unite our tennis community to stand with Ukraine, to help Ukraine because what we’re going through is a horrible thing for all Ukrainians.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m playing for my country and doing my best to use my platform to try to invite people to support Ukraine.”
Just hours before Svitolina played Potapova, tennis’ seven governing bodies issued a joint-statement condemning Russia’s actions against Ukraine and announced a series of measures. Players from Russia and Belarus will no longer be allowed to play in international tennis events under the name or flag of their country. The country’s federations have also been suspended from all team competitions by the ITF. Finally, the combined ATP/WTA event in Moscow set to take place in October has been suspended. Tennis Europe, who are not one of the seven governing bodies, have taken similar measures.
Svitolina has pledged to donate all of the prize money she wins this week to the Ukrainian military and the humanitarian efforts currently being made. She will earn a total of $29,200 if she wins the title. Svitolina has also vowed to do the same when she will play tournaments in America next month.
“I’m playing to help the Ukrainian army and people in need,” she added. “Every victory that I’m going to get is going to be very special.”
Svitolina will play Viktoriya Tomova in the second round who defeated France’s Diane Parry 6-4, 6-0.
