The rising geopolitical tension in Eastern Europe has cast a dark cloud over the entire world. The economic stability of nations has taken a hit with global supply-chain disruptions and rising inflation. Additionally, the sporting world has been affected too. Many tennis stars like Elina Svitolina and Sergiy Stakhovsky have voiced their opinions on this matter. Recently, the former World Number 3, Svitolina, delivered an emotional message for her fellow players on the tour.

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Elina Svitolina asks Russian and Belarusian players to speak out

Talking about the grave situation in her home country, Svitolina said, “For us, for Ukrainians, it’s very important that they speak out, that they choose which side they take. We want to know, we want to feel safe about that. Because if they don’t say their opinion on this, we don’t know if they support their government, if they support the action of the army. Because in Russia and Belarus sport is a big propaganda.”

Further, she went on to add, “I feel like they need to speak up about their position, this is very important. Doesn’t matter if it’s in a Grand Slam or (another) tournament. I think every Russian and Belarusian athlete should take their position, so that we know that there is no bad people among us.”

Svitolina takes a break from tennis

The 27-year-old is enduring a difficult season on the personal front coupled with disappointing results on the court. At the Australian Open, she lost in the third round against Victoria Azarenka. Further, she had a dismal ‘Sunshine Double’ campaign, losing in the second round of the tournament in Indian Wells and Miami. Her best result this year has been a quarterfinal appearance in Monterrey.

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Following the Miami Open, Svitolina withdrew from the Billie Jean King Cup and has decided to take a break from tennis owing to a back injury and personal issues. We hope to see Svitolina back on the court soon.