Monterrey (AP) – The Ukrainian tennis player Jelina Switolina will not play against a Russian or a Belarusian opponent at the tournament in Monterrey. The 27-year-old announced this on Instagram.
On behalf of all Ukrainian players, she called on the men’s organization ATP, the women’s organization WTA and the world association ITF to follow the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee and only allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as neutral athletes, without national ones Symbol, color, flag or anthem.
At the same time, she emphasized in her post that she did not hold any Russian athletes responsible for the attack on Ukraine. “Rather, I would like to express my appreciation to all the players, especially the Russian and Belarusian ones, who courageously expressed their position against the war,” wrote Svitolina. “Your support is essential.”
In a Eurosport interview on Sunday, she said she was worried about her family in Ukraine. In addition, the world number 15 announced. to donate their upcoming prize money to the army and to humanitarian causes.
“Every time I talk to my family and friends, it’s hard to find words for what’s happening in Ukraine,” she said. “My parents, my grandparents, my uncle and my aunt live there. I try to talk to them regularly.” It is important to keep in touch to find out exactly what is happening and how she can help them. “The most painful thing is that I feel completely useless.”