By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, May 29, 2023
Former number 3 in the world Elina Svitolina she is enjoying her return to the courts after the recent birth of her first child with her husband Gael Monfils.
However, she hopes her success will draw more attention and draw attention to the ongoing conflict in her native Ukraine.
Three-time former Roland Garros quarter-finalist Svitolina secured a strong 6-2, 6-2 first round win over the 26th seed Martyna Trevisan Italian.
Back to business 👊@Elina Svitolina maintains a streak of matches without defeat #Roland Garros first round matches beating Trevisan 6-2, 6-2. pic.twitter.com/wKv1ap7MuI
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2023
The 28-year-old Svitolina’s win comes just after winning the WTA tournament in Strasbourg last week. The Ukrainian continues to use her platforms to bring more attention and action to the ongoing conflict in her country. This included donating the entire prize money from Strasbourg to humanitarian aid in her country.
However, Svitolina criticized what she called “empty words” that do not help.
“Well, what I found out is a lot, I don’t know in a nicer way, but a lot of crap is going on around the situation where we have to focus on the main point of what’s going on, a lot of people, Ukrainians, need help and support. We focus on so many, you know, things like empty words, empty things that don’t help the situation, don’t help anything, said Svitolina after her match.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has affected the ATP and WTA tournaments for the past year and a half.
Just yesterday, Aryna Sabalenka Belarus and Marta Kostyuk Ukraine’s players endured tense post-match interviews after Kostyuk refused to shake Sabalence’s hand after a first-round match that Sabalenka won.
Svitolina openly criticized the WTA for its initial response to the conflict. In a recent interview with the French newspaper L’Equipe, Svitolina said:The WTA should have done more, much more on many issues. It’s too late. There were many press releases, many interviews. It was useless.”
I am glad you came back, @Elina Svitolina 😁#Roland Garros pic.twitter.com/nvIPGvpP3Y
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2023
Svitolina feels it’s time to do more to find a solution to the problem.
“So now I focus and I want to invite everyone to focus on helping Ukrainians,” Svitolina said. wars and fight for Ukraine.
“We are missing the main point where people now need help like never before. You know, kids lose parents, they lose body parts.
“You know, there are so many things we can do and help in different ways. You can donate a few dollars that can help and save lives. Or donate your time to something that will help people. You know, we miss the main point of it all and talk, talk, talk about nothing. Empty, completely empty words. Nothing helps.
Svitolina will face Australia Storm Sanders in the second round.
Image credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
