Results always matter but sometimes, results mean everything. In the most incredible atmosphere on No 1 Court on Sunday, Elina Svitolina, driven by a desire to bring a little happiness to her nation in a time of war, produced a stunning, courageous, emotion-filled win over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus to reach the quarter-finals of Wimbledon.
Less than nine months after becoming a mother, the 28‑year‑old Ukrainian fell on the court after her 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9) win, almost unable to believe what she had accomplished. Standing alone, she soaked up the applause from a captivated crowd who had been treated to a brilliant contest. A deciding tie-break was a fitting way for a match of this quality to be decided, but this wasn’t really about the tennis.
