Elina’s clear statement
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina commented on the outcome of the confrontation in the 1/8 finals of Wimbledon 2023 against Victoria Azarenka.
After the meeting, the representative of Belarus and Elina did not exchange the traditional handshake. Svitolina stressed that she did not intend to shake hands with tennis players representing Russia and Belarus.
“I was very supported. I quickly checked my phone and already saw over 60-70 messages from different people. They watched, they hurt. There are so many videos of them watching the match on TV. They are proud of the effort I put in.”
“When I lost 0-2, I felt very bad, because I went to the court not to show such tennis. I was very offended by this. I just told myself that I had to fight, that I had to give all my strength. I made up my mind that I have no right to complain now, that I have to go and fight. It was this attitude that helped me overcome this state. And just like that, I was slowly able to get into the game.”
“There was a very clear message from Wimbledon last year. This year it has changed due to strong pressure. I already answered this question on the first day of the tournament: I do not support this change that has taken place.”
“I knew that at home a lot of people were watching and supporting me. I also felt responsible. If I play a match against a Russian or Belarusian, of course, I feel more pressure to win. That’s why winning such a victory means so much. In my own way, I try to bring Ukraine such a small victory.”
“In my personal opinion, tennis organizations should make some kind of statement that there will be no handshake between Ukrainian and Russian and Belarusian players. I don’t know if this will make it clearer to people. Someone doesn’t know what’s going on, so in my opinion it would be the right move.”
“I talk about it all the time. I have already repeated many times: until the Russian troops leave Ukraine, until we return our territories back, we will not shake hands. I have this clear statement. I don’t know if it’s even possible for me to be even more clear.”
“The stands were amazing. It was just an incredible feeling. I think the atmosphere today was one of the best I’ve ever played in.”
Svitolina got a strong-willed victory over Azarenka in three sets. In the quarter-finals of Wimbledon 2023, Svitolina will meet with the first racket of the world, Iga Sventek from Poland.
Elina reached the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam tournaments for the tenth time in her career. The best result of a Ukrainian woman at Wimbledon is the semi-final in 2019.
Source: Sportarena
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