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Each morning, Elina Svitolina wakes up and checks her phone, going through messages from loved ones in Ukraine and catching up on the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite the grim situation, the 29-year-old remains determined and committed to staying informed. It has become a regular part of her routine, on par with her career as a tennis player and her role as a mother. Her coach, Raemon Sluiter, described her as being incredibly strong and resilient.
“When the days are particularly terrible, I am aware of it immediately upon waking up,” Svitolina shared with the Observer at Melbourne Park. “This is just a part of my routine and I cannot avoid it. However, I also have no desire to escape it because I want to be informed about what is happening back at home. My grandmother and uncle, along with their families, are there, so I want to stay updated. Being left in the dark is the worst feeling.”
As one of Ukraine’s leading sports stars, Svitolina has always played for more than herself. Her bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics is one of her most cherished possessions. But from the moment Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, she has taken it upon herself to maintain awareness, to raise money and to aid the humanitarian fight. It’s a pressure and a responsibility she embraces.
“I see it as my personal mission,” she stated. “I am the founder of my own foundation and also an ambassador for United24, the official fundraising program for Ukraine. My goal is to assist people in need. As a tennis player, I have various opportunities to make a positive impact. Through my foundation and my team’s efforts for United24, we organize events to raise funds for the Ukrainian community.”
“I utilize my platform to raise funds and assist others in any way possible, by promoting awareness of the ongoing war and encouraging donations for children. One way I do this is through my foundation, which supports talented young tennis players. I aim to use my platform in various ways to benefit the well-being of my country.”
Svitolina recognizes that due to recent events in Gaza and the Red Sea, the situation in Ukraine may be slipping from people’s attention. It used to be a top news story, but now it has been overshadowed by other issues. However, her attempts to maintain awareness about Ukraine have not gone unnoticed. She has received countless messages of encouragement from her home country, and she finds inspiration in the resilience of the Ukrainian people, just as they are inspired by her efforts.
“When I visited Ukraine in November, many people expressed their gratitude for my work. This is a great source of motivation for me. Although the trip was exhausting, I am happy to have been able to contribute. I do not seek recognition, but rather want to give back to the people of Ukraine who are fighting for our freedom and preserving our Ukrainian identity. My strong Ukrainian spirit is rooted in my experiences there, and it continues to drive me every day. I feel empowered and responsible to continue my work.”
Maintaining control and staying on top of everything can be emotionally and psychologically taxing. Svitolina is aware of this and makes sure to take breaks for her own well-being. Her husband, French tennis player Gaël Monfils, and their daughter, Skai, provide her with opportunities to have a “normal” life while her coach, Sluiter, adjusts training schedules if needed due to any overnight events affecting her mental state.
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Her main focus is winning tennis matches and since her return to the Tour in March, five months after giving birth, Svitolina has achieved impressive results. She made it to the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros and defeated the world’s No 1 player, Iga Swiatek, at Wimbledon to advance to the semi-finals. Although she was disappointed to miss out on her first grand slam final, the enthusiastic response from the crowd was amazing.
“It was truly the most incredible feeling I’ve ever experienced on the court,” she stated. “And the outcome is just astounding. It’s incredible to see the amount of support and aid the English community has provided for Ukrainians and refugees. Their generous actions have been truly heartwarming. I am immensely grateful to everyone involved.”
After fully recovering from a foot injury she sustained at the US Open, Svitolina made it to the final in Auckland last week. As Sluiter mentioned, anything is achievable during these two weeks. “After what happened last year, nothing would be unexpected,” he stated.
