After overcoming Wang Xinyu of China on Monday to go to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, just hours after Russia’s most recent catastrophic attack on Kyiv, Elena Svitolina of Ukraine couldn’t contain her tears.
At least 41 people were killed by Russia’s missile bombardment on Monday morning, according to Reuters, which also destroyed Kyiv’s most well-known buildings and the country’s largest children’s hospital.
Svitolina was in no hurry to rejoice during her post-match interview, acknowledging that it was “not easy to focus” on a game of tennis when her nation was in turmoil.
“Today is a really depressing day for all Ukrainians,” a tearful Svitolina remarked. “I found it quite challenging to really be here and take any action. All I wanted was to be in my room, alone with my feelings and all of my emotions.”
Following their advancement to the quarterfinals of #WIMBLEDON, our ambassador was overcome with emotion. Because of the missile attack on Ukraine today, not because of her victory.
She received a standing ovation from the audience. I’m grateful, Elina!
The All England Club gave the 29-year-old special permission to put a black ribbon on her equipment in remembrance of her countrymen who lost their lives in the most recent Russian attack.
Wimbledon’s administrators usually enforce a tight dress code that prohibits players from switching up their all-white outfits. Svitolina thanked the All England club for making an unusual exception in her instance at her post-match press conference.
Black ribbon winner Elina Svitolina at Wimbledon today…
The most recent missile attack by Russia on Ukraine (including our largest children’s medical center, Okhmatdyt, Kyiv, our city Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, Pokrovsk, and Kramatorsk) this morning resulted in at least 31 deaths and 125 injuries.
On Wednesday, Svitolina will play Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, in a quarterfinal match. The Ukrainian talent lost to eventual winner Marketa Vondrousova in the semi-finals of the previous year’s competition.
