Elina Svitolina spoke haltingly, pausing occasionally to sigh, as she discussed the deadly Russian missile attack on her home country of Ukraine, an event that weighed on her and mattered far more than the straight-sets victory that meant a return to the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
Svitolina has relatives back home — a grandmother, an uncle, others — and while victories like the 6-2, 6-1 score-line against Wang Xinyu mean something to them, and can serve as “a small light that brought a happy moment for Ukrainian people", in her words, it is not easy to think too much about tennis.
Dozens of Russian missiles hit five cities in Ukraine, striking apartment buildings and a children’s hospital in the capital of Kyiv, killing at least 31 people and wounding more than 150, officials said.
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“It was really difficult for me to really be here, in a way, and do anything. I just wanted to be in my room, just be there with my emotions, with everything," ,” said Svitolina, who received permission from the All England Club to wear a black mourning ribbon pinned to her white shirt during the match.
"When you have these sad days, where you don’t want to do anything, it was this kind of day for me.
“It's very close to our heart and a very sensitive topic, very sensitive emotions that we feel every single day.
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“But today was one of the days where it was even more difficult because the missile landed on the kids' hospital. Straightaway you see images and everything that happened."
Earlier, during an on-court interview at the match's conclusion, Svitolina wiped away tears when she mentioned what was happening in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia, with help from Belarus, over two years ago.
In 2022, the All England Club barred all Russian and Belarusian players from competing at Wimbledon, but they were allowed back in last year, albeit officially competing as “neutral” athletes whose nations are not identified in the draws or TV graphics.
Svitolina said she would prefer if that ban were still in place but that there's nothing she can do about the policy change.
"Of course, I would prefer that," she replied when asked about the prospect of the ban being reintroduced.
"But it is how it is now. I cannot change. We tried every possible way to talk with many organisations.
“For now, I just want to raise awareness, to raise funds for people in need, to raise support for the kids through my foundation. … So many ways we can help people," she added, "and not only focus on the things we cannot control.”
Svitolina, who is married to French tennis pro Gael Monfils, was a semi-finalist at the grass-court grand slam tournament in 2019 and 2023 and is seeded 21st this year.
Her opponent in the quarter-finals will be 2022 champion Elena Rybakina, who advanced when No.17 Anna Kalinskaya stopped playing because of an injured right wrist while trailing in the second set.
In unity with other Ukraine players, Svitolina, refuses to shake hands with Russian opponents but said she would extend her hand to Rybakina,
"She changed her nationality, so it means she doesn't want to represent her original country," said Svitolina.
The other quarter-final on the top half of the women's bracket will be 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko against 2021 French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova.
Ostapenko was a 6-2, 6-3 winner against Yulia Putintseva, who eliminated No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the third round. Krejickova defeated 11th-seeded Danielle Collins 7-5, 6-3.
Svitolina said she felt like she was “in a fog” on Monday, unable to go through her usual pre-match thoughts and preparation.
Her team was relatively quiet.
The tactical notes were kept to a minimum.
Afterward, the excitement was muted.
“For many Ukrainians, they will share this feeling with me. We feel guilt that we feel happy or that we feel good. Not only because I’m in the quarter-final of (a) grand slam, but in everything.
"You go (on vacation), you feel guilty because you’re not in Ukraine. Many people cannot leave the country. Many people are at the war. Many people are fighting, defending our front lines,” Svitolina explained.
"We've been living with this feeling for over two years. I mean, it’s nothing new," she said. “But yes, of course, it’s not a pleasant feeling to have.”
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