The war in Ukraine has repercussions almost everywhere on the planet and in all areas, even in sport. While several Russian athletes have been prevented from participating in competitions, athletes have also lost their lives in the fighting that has been raging for more than a month now. For Ukrainian athletes, the situation is dramatic and Elina Svitolina is one of the athletes most affected by the situation. The wife of Gael Monfils has already expressed herself on social networks and she has also taken the decision to donate all her tournament winnings to help the Ukrainian resistance.
Strong gestures, but obviously the situation is too difficult to bear to continue playing tennis. The twentieth player in the world has made a radical decision for her short-term future, as she explains on her social networks. “These last two months have been extremely difficult for me, mentally or physically. For a while I have back problems”she explains in the preamble to her long message where she announces thatshe renounces to the next tournaments and that she will therefore not go to the United States to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup.
I watched with unbearable pain in my heart what was happening in my homeland, Ukraine
Weakened physically, Elina Svitolina is also psychologically, as she admits in her message, even if she knew how to use it to motivate herself. “I was watching with unbearable pain in my heart what was happening in my homeland, Ukraine, and how bravely and bravely the Ukrainian people were fighting. It gave me a huge boost to carry on and beat on the ground”she assures, before admitting that she is exhausted: “Now my body can’t take it anymore and I need to rest”.
A very difficult decision to make for the 27-year-old young woman, married to Gaël Monfils since July 2021, who will therefore take a big break, but let her fans be reassured, she intends to come back. “But I’m sure, I’ll find you soon”she concludes her powerful message.