LONDON | She gave birth to her child nine months ago and is defending her country in the war on all platforms. And on Tuesday, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the middle paid world No. 1 Poland’s Iga Swiatek for a place in the semifinals at Wimbledon.
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Svitolina, guest of the organizers, defeated the world’s best racket 7:5, 6:7 (5) and 6:2. A victory that the former member of the Top 3, who returned to the circuit in March, described as “incredible”, which for her “represents the world”, given the recent birth of Skaï, her granddaughter, but also of her context in Of Ukraine.
“That means a lot [pour les gens en Ukraine], reiterated the 76th World to journalists. I know a lot of people are watching the game there. I haven’t checked my phone much yet, but I know I’ve received a lot of messages.
“I’m happy to be able to bring a little happiness into her life,” she continued, eyes slightly teary. I’ve also seen a lot of videos online of kids watching the game on their phones. It melts my heart to see that.”
Svitolina was on a mission
Swiatek, the undisputed world no.
Elina Svitolina looks speechless after her win against world number 1 Iga Swiatek. Photo: AFP
But still: This victory is above all that of a combative Svitolina, who had also reached the four of aces at the All England Club in 2019, but was not necessarily able to shine at the Grand Slam tournaments in her “early” career.
The 28-year-old Ukrainian from Odessa seemed on a mission all along, were it not for the tie break she evaded after taking the lead in the second set or that double fault on his first match point.
A hearty hug
And unlike on Sunday against Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, this time there was a warm hug at the net.
After the game, Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek (in front) hugged each other for a long time at the net. Photo: AFP
As a matter of fact, Svitolina refuses to shake hands with her Russian or Belarusian opponents until the war is over., through “respect for those who are on the front line”.
But the Polish Swiatek is an ally. Notably, she wears a blue and yellow ribbon on her cap in support of Ukraine. “We admire him a lot in Ukraine,” said Svitolina.
“That meeting was much more difficult, certainly because she is a good person, a great advocate who raised her. […] In a way it’s difficult to play against a good friend because you don’t want her to lose. When I wasn’t in tennis I was very supportive of her and really impressed with what she was doing.
An ice cream instead of mom
Already last month in Paris, Svitolina caused a surprise when she reached the quarter-finals so soon after her return. While she attributes her current form to changes in her game, she also believes being a mother has changed her.
After the Ukrainian left the center to the applause of the Britons who had supported her since the start of the tournament, the Ukrainian made a video call to her little one. Skaï is not at Wimbledon: she feels more at home with her father, French tennis player Gaël Monfils.
“She was very busy with her ice cream so I wasn’t the priority,” she laughed. She’s at the age where she doesn’t care if I win or lose.
“There are worse things in life”
In addition to motherhood, there is also war, which gives her a new perspective.
“I think that [le conflit armé] “Made me mentally strong,” she analyzed. Mentally, I no longer see difficult situations [sur le terrain] like disasters.
“There are worse things in life. That’s why I’m calmer.
▶ In Thursday’s semifinals, Elina Svitolina meets Tuesday’s Czech Marketa Vondrousova, 42nd in the world and loser to fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula.