tennis
Victories for Ukraine: Switolina’s mission at Wimbledon
Jelina Switolina celebrates her victory against Viktoria Azarenka. photo
© Alastair Grant/AP/dpa
Jelina Switolina rushes from victory to victory at Wimbledon. But the successes are not only significant for them. Above all, they should offer their compatriots a little distraction in times of war.
These are emotional days for Jelina Switolina. While the Russian war of aggression continues to rage in her Ukrainian homeland and claims victims day after day, the 28-year-old tries her compatriots with her tennis in Wimbledon to offer at least some distraction.
“I know how important that is for people,” said Switolina after the spectacular 2: 6, 6: 4, 7: 6 (11: 9) against Viktoria Asarenka from Belarus in the round of 16 of the grass classic.
It is the images of suffering and destruction from home that are driving Switolina in these weeks of Wimbledon. After losing the first set against Asarenka, she was already a break behind in the second round. But then she thought of her compatriots and said to herself that she had to pull herself together now. “It’s a great privilege to be able to play here,” said the Ukrainian. “I have no right to complain.”
Switolina shows great fighter heart
And so she turned the game around with a big fighter’s heart and after the match point dropped onto the lawn with tears in her eyes. “Having my child is the happiest moment of my life,” said Switolina, who is married to French professional Gael Monfils. The couple have a daughter. “I know what this moment means for my people in Ukraine. These are difficult times in Ukraine and I get to play here. It’s indescribable.”
When Switolina isn’t playing tennis, she’s on her cell phone. “Every moment I’m not on the court, I check how my family and friends are doing, how the situation in Ukraine is,” said Switolina. “My team and I are constantly thinking about who we can help and where we can support.” Mentally it is very stressful not to have any time off at all, she said.
“This is a clear statement from me”
The war at home accompanies her always and everywhere – especially in and after matches against opponents from Russia or Belarus. It is out of the question for Switolina to shake hands with players from these countries after a game – as is usual in tennis. “I’ve said it several times that as long as Russian troops don’t leave Ukraine and we’ve taken back our territories, I won’t do any handshakes. That’s a clear statement from me,” said Switolina after her win against Azarenka.
Asarenka, with whom she actually had a good relationship before the attack on her country, refused to shake hands. Which the Belarusian accepted, but led some spectators to boo Asarenka as she left the court. Which in turn enraged the early world number one. “Maybe there were too many Pimm’s in the game,” said Asarenka (33), referring to the Englishman’s favorite drink.
Quarterfinals on Tuesday against Swiatek
Switolina had a similar experience a few weeks ago at the French Open in Paris when she left the field without a handshake after her quarter-final defeat against Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus. “Maybe some people don’t realize it. Some people don’t seem to know what’s going on,” said Switolina, who is therefore demanding a clear statement from the tennis organizations. “I think they have to go public with a statement that there will be no handshakes between Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian players,” said Svitolina.
In the quarter-finals this Tuesday, however, there will be no problem. Switolina has to deal with the world number one Iga Swiatek. And the Pole has clearly sided with Ukraine since the beginning of the war. A small Ukrainian national flag can always be seen on her white cap. “I can’t thank Iga enough for how much she supports us,” Switolina said. She still wants to win against Swiatek. For themselves – and their compatriots.