Elina Svitolina is one of the sports figures in Ukraine and, in turn, one of the references in the struggle for peace in the midst of the conflict and the invasion of Russia. The tennis player, current number 15 in the WTA ranking, launched an order to the organizations and assured that either they take measures so that Russian and Belarusian tennis players do not compete under the colors of their respective flags, or they will not play a single match against them. .
In a forceful statement issued through social networks, Svitolina , now Elina Monfils after marrying the French tennis player Gael Monfils, expressed her opinion on the decisions to be made by the WTA, ATP and ITF and threatened to withdraw from the Monterrey tournament, where she was ranked as the first seed with the Russian Anastasiya Potapova .
“I think that the current situation requires a clear position on the part of our organizations: ATP, WTA and ITF. Ukrainian players have asked the ATP, WTA and ITF to follow the IOC’s recommendations to accept Russian and Belarusian athletes only as neutrals, without wearing any symbol, color, flag or anthem,” announced the Ukrainian tennis player.
“With regard to this, I want to announce that I will not compete tomorrow in Monterrey or in any other match that faces a Russian or Belarusian tennis player, until our organizations make this necessary decision,” continued Svitolina , who did not hesitate to thank the athletes. who are committed to the cause. “I don’t blame any Russian athlete. They are not responsible for the invasion of our land. Moreover, I wish it to benefit all players, especially Russians and Belarusians, who bravely stood against the war. Your support is essential.”
#Ukraine # #аїна #StandWithUkriane pic.twitter.com/1LT4WjrYI9
– Elina Monfils (lElinaSvitolina) February 28, 2022
