Probably nobody thought this success possible: Elina Switolina is in the semi-finals of the tennis tournament in Wimbledon. The special story of their triumphal procession.
The tournament in Wimbledon is entering the decisive phase, but before the title is at stake, it should already be clear that Elina Switolina’s comeback is the big story of these two weeks. On Thursday (07/13/2023) the Ukrainian meets Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic) in the semifinals and could make it into the final for the first time in the classic grass field. But much more noteworthy than the result is the way to get there – it’s a tennis fairy tale in four acts.
Act 1: Wildcard as a young mother
Switolina had her first child with her partner Gael Monfils, also a successful tennis player, in October last year. Around seven months after the birth of Skai, the 28-year-old celebrated her comeback on the WTA tour, it was an expected difficult start with many defeats. “I had set myself up for a long, difficult comeback. Nobody was waiting for me, nobody gives you anything“Svitolina said at the time.
But then came “The mom fairy tale“, as the French newspaper “L’Equipe” put it, at the French Open, when the former world number three reached the quarterfinals. “I’m already over the moon. It’s like a dream, all these victories“, she said. Now she is even one step further – and similarly stunned. “I don’t know what’s going on in my head right now, it’s amazing“, she said after the quarter-final win against Iga Swiatek on Tuesday.
Switolina is only playing in London because of her successful past, she received a wildcard from the organizers. Other players who are so far behind in the world rankings are only allowed to play in the qualification.
Act 2: Spectator at Williams trouble but not at Styles concert
In the first round there was a duel between the invited players. Like Switolina, her opening opponent Venus Williams also received a wildcard – and it made headlines. In the course of the first set, the 43-year-old injured herself and, after the 4: 6, 3: 6 defeat, clearly chose words over the Wimbledon lawn. “I don’t know what I did there. Anyway, it hurt a lot, it’s all very shocking at the moment‘ said Williams: ‘I was in such great shape. Now the weed has killed me, it’s kind of bizarre.”
It also got bizarre after Switolina converted the match point. She returned a Williams serve to the line to a winner, but the linesman saw the ball out – the “hawk eye” corrected the assessment and the referee gave Switolina the point, declaring the match over. However, Williams expected the point to be repeated and then refused to shake hands with the referee.
And Svitolina? She also won the next two matches and therefore had to rearrange. The tennis ace had already bought tickets for a Harry Styles concert in Vienna in advance – but her strong first week at Wimbledon prevented her from visiting. “Hey people. I was planning to go to my favorite Harry Styles concert in Vienna tomorrow. But Wimbledon changed my plans. Anyone wanna go? I have two tickets“Svitolina wrote on Instagram.
Act 3: A victory for all Ukraine
But what followed was much better for her than a concert. “This is the second happiest moment of my life after the birth of my daughter“Said Svitolina after beating Victoria Azarenka 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the round of 16. In a way it was a duel of the war, Svitolina of Ukraine versus Azarenka of Belarus. “I know what this moment means for my people in Ukraine. It’s hard times in Ukraine and I can play here. This is indescribable” said the winner.
As before at the French Open against opponents from Russia or Belarus, Switolina refrained from the obligatory handshake after the game – and had a clear demand for the organizers. “I think they need to go public with a statement that there will be no handshakes between Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian players“, she said. Last year, the professionals from Russia and Belarus were completely forbidden to compete in Wimbledon.
The joy of this almost sporting political success outshined everything. “Every moment that brings joy to us Ukrainians helps us enormously”said Svitolina, having trouble holding back tears: “I thought of the many people at home who support me. Ukraine is going through difficult times. I can’t complain, I just had to fight.”
Act 4: Sensation against an “incredible person”
Swiatek is an ally of Switolina, before the tournament in Wimbledon, the first in the WTA world rankings had shared in the fate of Ukrainian tennis professionals. “I think it’s not easy for Ukrainian players to compete on the tour“, she said. That’s why she wants to “focus more on helping them“.
The game for Switolina against Swiatek was correspondingly emotional. It wasn’t easy for her to play against the Pole, as she has been supporting her neighboring country since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression: “She was one of the first to help people in Ukraine. Not only is she a great champion, she is also an incredible person.“
As emotional as the game was for Switolina, it was also successful. The young mother defeated top favorite Swiatek in three sets and made it to the semi-finals for the second time after 2019 in Wimbledon. Switolina now has a great opportunity to make history in women’s tennis. No player with a wildcard has ever won the Wimbledon tournament – so far only Goran Ivanisevic has succeeded in the men’s tournament. It would be the culmination of an extraordinary tennis fairy tale.