DailyExpertNews
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Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina says she has had sleepless nights after the Russian invasion of her homeland while worrying about her family and friends back home, describing what happened as a “terrible time for all Ukrainians”.
The 27-year-old, who was in Monterrey, Mexico, for a tournament, said Sunday she is terrified of her own family who are left behind in the war-ravaged country, seeking refuge in the southern city of Odessa.
“I haven’t slept much to see what’s happening, how we can help and what we can do,” she told DailyExpertNews Sport.
“This is the worst time of my life because I have my parents, my friends and my Ukrainian people fighting for our country there. This has been an extremely, extremely difficult time for everyone.”
Svitolina’s fear is further fueled by fears that Odessa could be targeted by Russian troops.
“We are very concerned because this part is very attractive for Russia,” she added. “It’s on the Black Sea, it has a harbor and we heard it could be in great danger.”
The current number 15 in the world spoke of her respect for the way her country and its people have responded to the crisis, both those who are trying to leave Ukraine and those who have decided to stay there.
“There are very brave people who stay, and also brave people who are on the way or trying to move to a safe place,” she said.
“I admire people who decided not only to stay there, but to take up arms. Girls and boys are fighting for our country every minute of every day.”
Svitolina also praised the Ukrainian government and political leaders for handling the situation, especially Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I am very proud of Zelensky, he has done an incredible job so far. He had the chance to leave the country, but he decided to stay. It takes a lot of courage,” she says.
“I think it’s an incredible statement for all the people, so I’m really, really proud of our president.”
Svitolina wants the sports world to rethink its influence and especially what governing bodies can do in the light of the conflict.
After DailyExpertNews’s interview with Svitolina, she said she would not play her upcoming match at the Monterrey Open because she refuses to play against Russian or Belarusian players unless they compete as neutral athletes. Svitolina would face the Russian Anastasia Potapova in the opening round on Tuesday.
On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) “recommended” Russian and Belarusian athletes be banned from participating in international sporting events, while Russian national football teams and club teams have been banned from competition until further notice by the global football governing body FIFA and European football governing body UEFA.
And Svitolina urged tennis’ governing bodies to follow suit.
“I believe the current situation requires a clear position from our organizations: ATP, WTA and ITF,” said Svitolina, referring to the Association of Tennis Professionals, the Women’s Tennis Association and the International Tennis Federation, in a statement. social media post monday.
“As such, we – Ukrainian players – have asked the ATP, WTA and ITF to follow the recommendations of the IOC to accept Russian or Belarusian nationals only as neutral athletes, without displaying national symbols, colours, flags or anthems. ”
The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) said it strongly disagreed with the IOC’s decision to ban Russian athletes from participating in all international sporting events.
A statement released on the ROC’s website on Monday said the decision is “contrary to both the IOC’s regulatory documents and the [Olympic] charter […] and the spirit of the Olympic movement, which is designed to unite, not divide, especially when it comes to athletes and equality of participants in the Olympic movement.”
Svitolina’s intended opponent Potapova said she was “against sadness, tears and war” in an Instagram post Monday.
DailyExpertNews has contacted the ITF, ATP and WTA regarding Svitolina’s comments, but has not received an immediate response.
READ: Ukrainian athletes ‘seeking safety in air raid shelters’ call for Russia and Belarus ban
“I think it is extremely important that all sports people come together and stand together. I think we have a great community,” said Svitolina.
“We can unite and make a difference to explain to people what is really happening because I think there are still a lot of people who don’t really understand that we are in great danger and that we are fighting for peace.
“I think this really crosses the line of what’s happening and how many people die, how many children die, how many women die,” she said.
“So for me the Russian government has to stop what they are doing now.”
The Ukrainian star also praised fellow tennis player Andrey Rublev, a Russian, who publicly spoke out against the conflict by writing “no to war” on a camera lens after winning his semi-final match at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Friday.
That said, Svitolina says athletes of all nationalities can do more within her own sport to compete.
“I’ve Seen His” [Rublev’s] very good moves, but I think we can have a lot more and a bigger impact on that,” she said.
“I try to invite the entire tennis community to support us. It doesn’t matter which country you come from, but I think we should stand together.”
Svitolina had a message about how NATO, Ukraine’s allies around the world and the general public can help Ukraine — donating to the country’s military operation as they continue to defend their nation.
“Try to donate money to our army, to the army of Ukraine that is now fighting and that is losing a lot of soldiers, including innocent people,” she said.
“For me it is important to share the message that people need to stand next to Ukraine and help these innocent people, who used to live in peace but now face the strongest army in the world.”