Wimbledon is a highly emotional match. After opening victories, the Ukrainians Lesia Zurenko and Anhelina Kalinina meet in round two – and also play for the people in their home country, which has been battered by Russia’s war of aggression.
“We are united with everyone in our country in our own way and in this special way we can remind the whole world that we are a great nation, but we are still at war and in need and we need your help,” Zurenko said her 6:2, 6:3 first round win against Brit Jodie Burrage the importance of the upcoming encounter.
For the 33-year-old, who has found a home in Italy since the outbreak of war and is waiting on the Apennines with her sister for her mother to flee to the West, the result of the game against Kalinina is, given the violence in her homeland, despite daily support from a Psychologists completely irrelevant.
“War is the only issue in my life”
“Emotionally, victory or defeat no longer exists for me. For me, war is the only topic in my life and nothing can help me get over it,” said the winner of four WTA tournaments and former top 25 player.
Kalinina, on the other hand, sees sporting success in a duel with Zurenko as the best way to support her fellow countrymen in need.
“The more I win, the more money I can use to help. I help my grandparents who have to live in the occupied territory and are not allowed to leave the country, but I also help other families and other people as much as I can. So do it for me something about whether I win or lose, because I earn more money with every round,” said the 25-year-old.
Symbolic action not excluded
With her 4: 6, 6: 2, 6: 4 win against the Hungarian Anna Bondar, Kalinina, who after Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the destruction of her parents’ house only lives “out of a suitcase” in foreign tournament hotels, has already converted almost 91,000 euros for sure. Prize money of 139,500 euros has been announced for entry into the third round.
Both Kalinina and Zurenko did not rule out symbolic action around their game.
Regardless of the strict Wimbledon regulations, Kalinina was reluctant to wear an armband in Ukraine’s national colors of blue and yellow due to restrictions on striking movements, while Zurenko was not too keen on a photo together. “We will talk to each other,” Kalinina said.