Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, former world No. 3, told AFP her hope of one day returning to her country and seeing her 80-year-old grandmother, trapped in Odessa since the start of the Russian invasion. In the meantime, she gets involved, at the head of an association.
I try to keep in touch with her and help her as much as I can. She was too old to leaveexplained the tennis player, a week after her appointment as United24 ambassador alongside former footballer Andriy Shevchenko, Ballon d’Or in 2004.
Created on the initiative of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 5, this association aims to raise funds to meet the needs generated by the war in Ukraine: defence, medical aid and reconstruction of the country, devastated since the launch of the Russian offensive. February 24.
It’s hard for old people to find themselves in a new war […] The lack of food, staying at home or in a cellar for days… It’s extremely stressful and very hard mentallyconfessed the wife of the French Gaël Monfils.
The couple are expecting their first child, due in October.
Although she hasn’t lived in Ukraine for years, Svitolina, 27, tries to visit three to four times a year. I feel like home hereshe says.
His parents and his brother were able to flee the country, but his uncle and grandmother remained in Odessa, a multicultural crossroads of 1 million inhabitants controlled de facto by Russian forces and isolated from the rest of the country.
A distressing situation for the young woman and which takes precedence over her joy as a future mother.
Many of my friends returned to Ukraine and took up arms to defend the countrysaid the one who has won 16 titles on the circuit.
While his compatriot Sergiy Stakhovsky, also a tennis player, and the coach of the Sheriff Tiraspol soccer club Yuriy Vernydub have joined the army, Svitolina intends to contribute to the building.
So many people are struggling right now, that’s why I joined United24. We can do something to help all Ukrainians, servicemen and children in needshe added, recalling the smallness of her commitment, in view of the bravery of the head of state.
He gives so much hope to Ukrainians […] President Zelensky is an example of respect […] He gave me hope that we will win this war.
Absent from Roland-Garros in June, Svitolina has not played in competition since his elimination in the first round of the Miami tournament on March 24.
The 2019 Wimbledon and U.S. Open semi-finalist spoke of the importance of continuing to educate global public opinion about the conflict after months of war and no end in sight.
I have so much pain in me to see so many cities destroyed and how many people have lost their lives.
France Media Agency
Source: Radio-Canada
