Monterrey Open: Ukraine's Svitolina beats Russia's Potapova

Posted 2 years ago

Elina Svitolina hopes to 'unify tennis community' behind Ukraine

Svitolina announced in a post on Twitter that she would not fight against players from Russia or Belarus in that match or against any other player unless the ATP, WTA and ITF follow the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and their Do not remove any reference to national identity.

Svitolina wrote: "I believe that the current situation requires a clear position from our organizations: ATP, WTA and ITF. As such, we - Ukrainian players - have removed Russians or Belarusians from the ATP, WTA and ITF. Requested to comply with the recommendations of the IOC to accept citizens as neutral athletes only, without displaying any national emblem, colour, flag or anthem.

"Accordingly, I would like to announce that I will not play tomorrow [Tuesday] in Monterrey, nor any other match against Russian or Belarusian tennis players until our organizations make this necessary decision."

Svitolina saluted Russian players like Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who have raised their voice against the war.

She said: "I do not blame any Russian athlete. They are not responsible for the invasion of our homeland.

"In addition, I would like to pay tribute to all the players, especially Russians and Belarusians, who bravely stated their position against the war. Their support is necessary."

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