Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina reveals she found out she was pregnant just a few days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine started. On February 24, Russia launced their invasion of Ukraine and the past few months have been extremely difficult for Svitolina.
Svitolina made the decision to continue competing on the WTA Tour but it was evident she was affected by what was happening in her home country. In Monterrey, Svitolina reached the quarterfinal before losing to Maria Osorio.
After reaching the Monterrey quarterfinal, Svitolina picked up surprise defeats in her Indian Wells and Miami opener. In late March, Svitolina announced an indefinite break from tennis and we may not see her again until 2023.
“It was a very difficult time for me. Especially at the beginning of the war. A few days earlier I just found out I was pregnant, and then the war started. It was very difficult to bear all of it mentally. In 5 days I played in Mexico, and then there were two big tournaments in the USA,” Svitolina told the BBC Ukraine, as revealed on btu.org.ua.
🗨️ Elina #Svitolina told BBC Ukraine she found out about her pregnancy just a few days before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in late February.
📰 More from Elina on her family & her new role as an ambassador for the United24 platform 👇 #tennishttps://t.co/lmVNdVigQO — Ukrainian Tennis 🎾 ENG (@ukrtennis_eng) June 10, 2022
Svitolina on the Wimbledon decision
Wimbledon has taken the biggest stance against Russia, imposing player bans on Russian and Belarusian players.
Giving her thoughts on the entire situation, Svitolina suggested the ATP and WTA could do more. “Am I satisfied with the reaction of tennis organizations, in particular on the issue of banning Russian players? I believe that not enough has been done at all.
And regarding this issue, too. The statements made by tennis organizations were not good enough. I believe that little has been said in support of Ukrainians. I have been with Ukrainian players many times at meetings with top officials of tennis governing bodies.
Unfortunately, they do not fully understand the whole situation of what’s happening in Ukraine, and, unfortunately, they do not want to meet us halfway,” Svitolina explained.
