By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Picture credit score: Getty
Armed along with her racquet, Elina Svitolina launched her tennis desires in Kharkiv.
A camouflage-clad Svitolina returned to Kharkiv armed with an computerized weapon in a fearless present of help for her fellow Ukrainians.
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Since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine again in February of 2022, Svitolina has been an outspoken advocate for her nation and human rights causes durring a horrific ongoing warfare.
In a social media publish with pictures of her journey to Kharkiv, Svitolina mentioned she’s impressed by the heroism of her individuals and the collective braveness Ukrainians have displayed beneath assault.
“Should you ask me, the place do I discover the motivation to battle in sports activities arenas? That is my nation, my individuals, my Kharkiv and our heroes,” Svitolina mentioned in an Instagram publish.
Final January, Svitolina, Dayana Yastremska and Marta Kostyuk made historical past on the Australian Open. For the primary time in Open Period historical past, three Ukrainian girls reached no less than the fourth spherical of a Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Svitolina mentioned the fierce fortitude Ukrainians show every day has fueled her combating spirit on court docket, however concedes the continuing warfare leaves her feeling frightened and empty over the demise and devastation.
“Individuals who have not skilled it may’t actually perceive what it feels prefer to don’t have any house, to really feel secure nowhere, to have household in Ukraine, beneath the bombs, to know that Ukrainian cities are being destroyed,” Svitolina informed L’Equipe. “It is each concern and an awesome vacancy.”