‘They Are Really Considering to Remove the Flag’- Elina Svitolina Says She Met With the WTA Officials

The on-going Russia-Ukraine war has clearly had an impact on both the ATP and WTA tours, with multiple players vouching for peace and sending messages of solidarity. Ukrainian tennis star and former world no. 3 Elina Svitolina made a bold move yesterday as she decided to not play against any Russian player on the WTA tour until the organization decides to make Russian players participate as neutral athletes.

Elina Svitolina says WTA has taken a ‘call to action’ to make Russian players play under neutral flags

Initially, there was no response from the WTA but in a recent interview that released moments ago, Svitolina says that the tour is willing to make a ‘call to action’ and take necessary steps to ensure neutrality.

“They are really considering to remove the flag and have all Russian players play under a neutral flag,” revealed Svitolina in an interview to NBC sports journalist Julia Elbaba. Also, the Ukrainian narrated her initial reaction when she found out that her first-round opponent at WTA Monterrey was the Russian player Anastasia Potapova.

“I was very surprised because here in Monterrey we don’t have many Russian players and I didn’t think then that I could actually play a girl from Russia straight away in the first round. I didn’t really think about the tournament at all. My thoughts were with the Ukrainian people and then when the draw came out, I had a thought that it’s impossible that I go on court with Russian flag, seeing a Russian flag in-front of me.”

Watch This Story: US Open disqualification to no entry at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic’s biggest controversies

Svitolina also revealed that she went to Potapova’s team with a proposal of playing under a neutral flag. As there was no response from the Russian, she approached the WTA and later announced her decision.

Svitolina wants WTA and ATP tours to follow other sporting organizations

Elina also took examples from other sporting organizations and revealed that tennis should follow suit.

“Many industries made the move, like football, as I say, FIFA made the move – now every Russian is playing under a neutral flag. So why not the tennis community? I’m Ukrainian and feel like this is my mission to do the same thing for tennis.”

Even though Svitolina said that there was no initial response from Potapova’s team, she told later that there was some sort of message from the Russian. The Ukrainian star later said, “If you don’t give up your flag, it means you are supporting your country.”

WTA is yet to make an official announcement regarding the status of Russian tennis stars. But, from what Elina mentioned in the NBC interview, it appears as if they might have to play under a neutral flag going forward this season.

Also read: ‘Future of Our Children’- Maria Sharapova Urges to End the Global Violence