INDIAN WELLS, United States, 12 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina secured a remarkable victory over fourth-ranked American Jessica Pegula on Tuesday, advancing to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells. For Svitolina, every win carries significance, not just for herself but for her war-stricken homeland.
“I feel the responsibility to perform well,” the 30-year-old remarked. “It’s something I strive to do for my country – to see our flag raised and to bring home victories that symbolise hope.”
Three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, tensions remain high, with the situation worsening in recent weeks following a highly publicised clash between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.
Trump has since halted military aid to Ukraine and suspended intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, a move that has emboldened Russia to intensify its assaults.
Despite these developments, Svitolina has experienced an outpouring of support from American fans and well-wishers.
Since the 28 February confrontation between Trump and Zelensky, she has noted an increase in encouraging messages from Americans, both online and in person at the tournament.
“I feel that, since that meeting in the Oval Office, I’ve received an overwhelming number of supportive messages from the American public,” Svitolina shared. “Even here at the tournament, so many people have expressed their solidarity with Ukraine and those suffering back home.”
She added that the support was particularly striking given that she had faced three American opponents consecutively.
Away from the court, Svitolina juggles her professional career with her personal life, raising her two-year-old daughter with French tennis player Gaël Monfils. She also makes regular visits to her hometown of Odesa, where she engages in humanitarian efforts through her charitable foundation.
“I try to compartmentalise my time – I check the news every day, especially now when so much is happening, but I also make sure to dedicate time to tennis, to training and recovery, and to completely disconnect when needed,” she explained.
Her conversations with family in Ukraine are emotionally taxing, she admitted. “I know that I won’t hear good news. It has been a very long time since any good news has come out of Ukraine.”
Context for Readers:
Elina Svitolina has long been vocal about Ukraine’s struggles, using her platform to raise awareness and provide humanitarian aid. Her triumphs on the tennis court serve as a source of inspiration to many Ukrainians enduring hardships at home.
Meanwhile, the political rift between Trump and Zelensky has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing war, with Ukraine now facing further challenges due to the suspension of US military aid.
At Indian Wells, Svitolina’s determination and resilience mirror the spirit of her country – unwavering in the face of adversity.