Elina Svitolina broke down in tears during a press conference following her Wimbledon semi-final exit on Thursday.
The Ukrainian was beaten in straight sets (6-3, 6-3) by Marketa Vondrousova, who became the first unseeded player to make the women’s singles final in the open era.
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Svitolina has played her part in bringing happiness to the Ukrainian people at a time of war and destruction in her country.
When asked if she felt the strength of her country behind her during the tournament, an emotional Svitolina replied: “ Yeah for sure, for sure, massive support.
“I got a lot of messages from different people and it’s unbelievable that they’ve been there with me, all the way and hopefully they continue.”
Svitolina made headlines during her fourth round clash with Belarussian star Victoria Azarenka when she refused to shake hands with her opponent.
It is a stance she has taken with Russian and Belarussian players since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Azarenka was jeered off Court No.1 by the public following her defeat to Svitolina and later explained she felt defenceless in the circumstance.
“What should I have done? Stayed and waited?” Azarenka asked reporters.
“She doesn’t want to shake hands with Russian, Belarusian people. I respected her decision.”
When asked if she was surprised at the Wimbledon crowd’s reaction to Azarenka, Svitolina replied: “I feel like each player that loses, and there is no handshake, is getting booed.
“I think the tennis organisations have to come out with a statement that there will be no handshake between Russian/Belarusian and Ukrainian players.
“I don’t know if it’s maybe unclear for people.
“I already said multiple times that until Russian troops are out of Ukraine and we take back our territories, I’m not going to shake hands.
“I have clear statement. I don’t know how more clear I can be.”
