Anhelina Kalinina has already won £78,000 in prize money after her first round victory
(Picture: PA)A Ukrainian tennis star says she will use her Wimbledon prize money to help rebuild her parents’ home after it was bombed during the Russian invasion.
Anhelina Kalinina said her parents are now staying at her apartment while rebuilding work takes place at their home in Irpin, which was badly damaged at the start of the war.
The 25-year-old said: “Their house was attacked. There are huge holes in the house. There are no apartments anymore. So now this home is getting rebuilt, so they can’t live there. They live in my apartment where I’m living with my husband.
“Now they are at home safe, they have everything. I’m grateful that they have the opportunities to live, and I am playing tennis.”
Kalinina has already won £78,000 after beating Hungarian Anna Bondár 4-6 6-2 6-4 in the first round yesterday. She next faces compatriot Lesia Tsurenko and will pick up £120,000 if she makes it though into round three. Kalinina said each victory is a way of helping families in Ukraine survive the war.
“It’s hard to focus, but for me it matters if I win or if I lose. I’m helping my grandmother and grandfather, who are in occupied territory now. The more I win, I’m helping other families and other people. It’s a privilege to play here, it’s a privilege to play every tournament. If you go further, you earn more money... For me, that matters,” she added.
“I’m not a superstar so I’m helping with what I can. And it’s a lot to them, and for me that’s huge motivation to play.”
Irpin, which is located near the capital Kyiv, was heavily damaged before being retaken from Russian troops in late March.
Wimbledon banned players from Russia and Belarus from playing at this year’s tournament following the invasion.
