Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina said she "respected" Wimbledon’s decision to allow Russian players to compete this year.
Svitolina returned to action at the Charleston Open on Monday after giving birth back in October. Following her first match since the Indian Wells Masters last March, the 28-year-old commented on the All-England Club reversing their ban on Russian and Belarusian players following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Svitolina had hoped to see the nations remain barred from Wimbledon for the second successive year and also called for an Olympics ban. Though her wish was not granted, she has accepted the decision made by those running the grass-court Grand Slam.
"Well it’s their decision to [do] that and we have to respect this decision," the 16-time WTA title winner told Tennis Channel. "So yeah, now it’s time to get back on court and kick some a**."
Playing her first match in over a year, although she took the opening set, the former world No. 3 lost a close match to Yulia Putintseva 6-7(3) 6-2 6-4 in 2 hours and 46 minutes.
Despite the result going against her, Svitolina was thrilled to be back on tour and is already looking to the future after an encouraging first match back. "I had goosebumps," she explained. "It was a really, really sweet atmosphere out there. It was so nice to see many people, and they were really cheering me on to push through some tough moments.
"It was not easy physically for me today, but in the end, I'm really happy with the way I played today. Now, I can see more clear what I need to improve to be better. I think I'm hitting the ball well. I just have to work more on my fitness. I think a few bits here and there are going to help me to keep the focus more consistently, to be there in the moment. I think a few things here and there are going to make a difference for me."
At the Charleston Open, the Ukrainian star also set up a Tennis Plays for Peace Pro-Am event to raise money for her country amid the war. She was joined by fellow Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina and other players including 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and hometown favourite Shelby Rogers. The event raised $100,000 which will benefit her foundation and bring further support to Ukraine.
“I’m really thankful for this opportunity that the tournament made all this effort, the players as well who have been there,” she said of the charity match. "I’m really thankful for this and I’m sure the funds will go to help the people of Ukraine. We really, really need this time, really need these funds for Ukrainian people these days.”
Svitolina returned to her homeland in February for the first time since the war ravaged the country. Speaking about what she witnessed there, the tennis star said: "It was really tough trip for me, but at the same time, I was the happiest person to see my grandmother, to see the other half of my family as well.
"It's really tough to see my homeland in this state ... constantly. I went to some destroyed cities, completely destroyed from the missiles, so this was a really heartbreaking moment for me, so that's why I try to do my best for Ukrainian people, for Ukraine, for the rebuilt of Ukraine, because it's really needed now these days."
