Elina Svitolina has called the lack of understanding surrounding no handshakes between players from Ukraine and Russia/Belarus as 'sad' and 'very frustrating' in a feature with magazine, Harpers Bazaar.
Svitolina touched upon many topics after her Wimbledon run and amid Aryna Sabalenka's constant reiteration that she doesn't think politics and sport should mix, she said that representing their country means that there is no choice in the matter.
“For me, it is very sad, and very frustrating that people don't understand this,” she said to
Harpers Bazaar.
“It's a very obvious thing to not shake hands when I have a lot of friends who are on the front line, right now, fighting for Ukraine. Can you imagine them watching me competing at Wimbledon or any anywhere in the world, shaking hands and acting like nothing's happening?”
“People need to understand that sometimes you can’t divide politics from sport. They are representing their countries and I am representing mine in front of the world. My position has to be clear.”
Big responsibility from Ukraine and missing Harry Styles
But while she was playing in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Sergiy Stakhovsky himself previously an SW19 hero said that they watched her on the frontline.
Svitolina said that while she was glad to have the big stage, there is a weight of responsibility on her shoulders to do it for Ukraine.
“I feel the pressure. I knew a lot of people in Ukraine were watching,” she says. “It's a really great feeling but also it comes with responsibility, because it feels like you want to win for so many people – for your whole country.
"But I feel fortunate to have the big stage to have the opportunity to speak about Ukraine, to raise awareness and speak through my sport.
“I hope it also gives hope for Ukrainians and for kids as well, even if just for a couple of hours. My goal is to give them the opportunity to continue dreaming about their future.”
But one thing Svitolina did miss was seeing Harry Styles, that is her only regret from the run in London.
“I’m so sad about that. It was so sweet of him to message me & congratulate me, but I just was never able to get there. But he’s young. There will be plenty other chances to see him, I’m sure," said Svitolina.
