"If you stand for something, you should say": Svitolina supports Djokovic amid controversial Kosovo message
Tennis NewsWednesday, 31 May 2023 at 22:30
Elina
Svitolina expressed her support for Novak Djokovic regarding the political
message controversy at the French Open.
The
Ukrainian tennis player, a former world No. 3, has repeatedly referred to the
war between Russia and Ukraine, supporting her country's position. She has also
criticized Russian and Belarusian players for not expressing their opposition
to the war.
Svitolina
has already reached the third round after defeating 2022 French Open
semifinalist Martina Trevisan and Australian player Storm Sanders. The
Ukrainian player addressed the controversy surrounding Djokovic during the
press conference following her second-round match.
“Well, we
are living in the free world, so why not to say your opinion on something? I
feel like if you stand for something, you think that this is the way, you
should say," Svitolina opined.
"I
mean, if you are with a friend sitting, talking, you're going to say your
opinion, he is going to say his opinion. So why not?"
"You
know, coming back to the politics in sports, as I think all Ukrainians mention,
that it's connected very much because we are all people," she added.
"We
all know the politics of your own country little bit, the way you hear
something here, something there. For me it's just part of human life, politics,
sports, you know, different things. Yeah, it's like that."
In the
third round of the French Open, Svitolina will face Russian player Anna
Blinkova, who has just caused an upset by defeating the local hope and fifth
seed Caroline Garcia.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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