Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina stepped away from the tennis courts in March to focus on her family. Moving away from the game when the Russia – Ukraine war began in her native country.
Recently, she announced that she is expecting a first child with her husband, the French tennis player Gaël Monfils. Together, they will welcome a little girl into the world in October, 2022. It represents a happy moment in a difficult time for Svitolina, who has temporarily walked away from the tennis tour in March after the war in Ukraine began.
Life has been very difficult for Elina since the war began in Ukraine. She said, “It was tough for me to deal with everything. [It was] a mixture of everything and it was a lot on my shoulders. That’s why taking time to settle down and spending time with my family was the best decision, particularly with everything that is happening.”
Life has been extremely stressful for Svitolina, after the southern Ukraine city of Odessa had become a target for bombing. It is the city where her family still lives. While her parents were able to leave the country, her grandmother is still in the city, trying to remain safe from the attacks.
Elina Svitolina to raise funds for medical supplies for the Russia – Ukraine war
Elina Svitolina has been appointed as the ambassador of United24, to help in fund raising. She will raise funds for doctors and paramedics for medical supplies and modern medical equipment.
The Ukrainian shared the news through her Instagram. She wrote, “Yesterday I had a zoom call with President Zelensky. Great news : I’m now officially the Ambassador for the United24 fundraising platform. I have always been a proud Ukrainian, bringing victories in the name of my Homeland. Today, when it is facing this vile, cruel and merciless enemy, I will not stand aside as well. I will do everything in my power to help my country win it’s most important battle. This time – outside the tennis court.”
Svitolina is fully focused on helping her family and her country. In this initiative she is not alone. She also receives support from others, including from other athletes in the community. She is also helping Ukrainians through her foundation.
Elina added, “I’m honoured to become part of the initiative that gives people hope, helps them survive and fight back. Ukrainian doctors and paramedics, who risk their lives rushing into the war-zones to save lives, need medical supplies and modern equipment. They have my utmost respect and support for this daily sacrifice, so this is exactly where I’m going to focus my activity.”
Helping people is something she does naturally. Back in 2019, she created a foundation with the mission to “help encourage children through the sport of tennis to learn the values of hard work, self – discipline”.