Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina recently announced her step towards helping her fellow countrymen in these difficult times. World No. 18 took to her Twitter handle, announcing that she will redistribute all the prize money she will be receiving in future tournaments. Disturbed seeing the current suffering of people due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Elina announced this step to support the Ukrainian army and also fulfilling the humanitarian needs.

Following the announcement, Elina took part in the WTA 250 Monterrey Open, repeating her Prize money distribution announcement after her first-round victory. She reached the third round in the hard-court event.  She is next expected to play at the WTA 1000 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells). The Indian Wells has a total financial commitment of $8,369,455.

Svitolina shows her support for Ukraine

Elina Svitolina has been highly vocal about her stand on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. She called for the governing bodies of international tennis to speak up and take necessary actions on the conflict. She also showed her unwillingness to play against any Russian/Belarusian player.

On 27th February, Svitolina took to her Twitter, announcing that she will donate all her prize money from the future tournaments to help the Ukrainian army and also help in fulfilling the humanitarian needs of Ukraine. The announcement came in the form of a letter titled, ‘Letter to my motherland’.

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The 27-year-old wrote a long letter addressing the current state of Ukraine. She expressed concern for her home country, as she went on to explain how special Ukraine is for her. She also appreciated the people involved in the crisis. Addressing her fellow countrymen as heroes, she went on extending her helping hand by announcing that she will redistribute all her prize money she will further win to help her home country. She said, “I commit to distribute the prize money of my next tournaments to support army and humanitarian needs and help them to defend you, our country.”

She further went on asking the whole world to come forward and extend their helping hand. “May the world see it and help us to join forces to protect you.”

Reaching the 3rd round at Monterrey, Svitolina won a prize money of $5,800. She is next expected to take part in the WTA 1000 Indian Wells.

Elina Svitolina in 2022

Elina Svitolina started her 2022 season at the WTA 250 Adeliade International 1, where she faced a first-round exit. She next participated in the Adelaide International 2, again suffering a first-round loss. Suffering two first-round losses, she entered the Australian Open, hoping to get a better result in the opening grand slam of the year.

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Even though she exceeded the first round, the happiness was short lived; she suffered a third-round loss to Victoria Azarenka. She further faced a second-round exit in Dubai and a first-round exit in Doha. Highly affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, she entered the Monterrey Open, crashing out in the third round.