Elina told what she feels when she faces tennis players from an aggressor state on the court.
Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina (No. 27 WTA) gave a press conference after defeating a neutral opponent with a Russian passport Veronika Kudermetova (No. 75 WTA) and reaching the quarterfinals Australian Open-2025.
The 30-year-old native of Odessa spoke about messageThe spirit of Ukraine (“Spirit of Ukraine”), which she left on camera after defeating an athlete from an aggressor country.
Elina also spoke about matches against Russians and answered the question of why she could not shake hands with them.
– You wrote “Ukrainian spirit” on camera. Why today? Why this message?
– As I said in my previous interview on the court, this fighting spirit that I demonstrate completely reflects the Ukrainian character. I try to show it to the world and represent my country.
Now is a particularly difficult time for Ukraine. The war has lasted for almost three years, and every Ukrainian carries this heavy burden on their shoulders every day. It is important for me to find the strength to win matches and bring at least a little joy, at least a small victory to our people. I feel responsible for this. Fighting is, at least, what I can do for my country.
– Do you feel a responsibility to remind people that the war is still going on?
– Yes, of course. As an athlete, as one of the leading athletes in Ukraine, I feel that I must use my platforms and my voice as much as possible to draw attention to this topic and raise funds for different areas of assistance to our people.
I think sometimes people forget that the war is still going on, that we still need help. It’s very important for me to show resilience, to show that I’m ready to fight no matter what, and to represent that spirit.
– How did you feel playing against a Russian tennis player today? How do you think the new President Trump will affect the situation in Ukraine?
– I’ve played against Russian tennis players many times since the war began. It’s nothing new for me. I was very motivated to win today, so that people in Ukraine would wake up with good news. I’m very happy that I was able to do that.
As for the new US president, I think he needs to be given time to prove himself. It's a difficult situation. There's a lot of talk about how it's going to be, whether he'll be able to end the war in a few days or not. We can talk about it for hours, but nobody really knows what's going to happen. We're just patiently waiting for that moment.
– Since the beginning of the war, you have already won 9 matches against Russian tennis players. You talked about your fighting spirit. Where do you get your strength from? Do you do anything special, knowing that you will play a Russian opponent? And also: do you see the moment when you will be able to shake hands with a Russian opponent?
– I don’t do anything special. I have the same morning routine and all the same preparations before matches. Everything remains the same. I just feel that my spirit in such matches is completely different. I give it my all, I give all my energy.
If I don't win, I will fight to the end, as if I am ready to die on the court. I will not let my opponent win easily. I think it is this fighting spirit that helps me in such matches. As I said, I personally have very strong associations with this country. It is painful for me and my heart is heavy. Of course, this gives me additional motivation.
As for handshakes, to be honest, given the feelings and associations I have with this country, I can’t imagine that this will ever happen. It’s a terrible feeling that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Waking up and learning the news that your friends have died at the front, killed by Russian soldiers – that’s something incredibly heavy for my heart,” Svitolina said.
It was previously reported that Svitolina extended her winning streak in matches against Russians after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The victory over Kudermetova was Elina’s ninth over tennis players from the aggressor country since February 24, 2022. During this time, she has never lost to opponents with a Russian passport.
Elina will play in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam tournaments for the twelfth time. She has reached this stage three times at the Australian Open (2018, 2019, 2025), four times at Roland Garros (2015, 2017, 2020, 2023), twice at the US Open (2019, 2021) and three times at Wimbledon (2019, 2023, 2024).
For a spot in her debut semifinal of the Australian major, Svitolina will compete against American Madison Keys (No. 14 WTA), who knocked out Elena Rybakina (No. 7 WTA) from Kazakhstan in the 1/8 finals – 6:3, 1:6, 6:3.
Svitolina is the only Ukrainian who continues to compete in singles at the 2025 Australian Open. Earlier, Yulia Starodubtseva, Daria Snigur and Angelina Kalinina failed to make it through the first round of the competition. And Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska were eliminated in the third round.
The main draw matches of the 2025 Australian Open will be held from January 12 to 26. The current champion of the tournament is Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who is playing in a neutral status due to the full-scale war of Russian occupiers against Ukraine.
