A Ukrainian tennis participant thanked her top-ranked opponent for publicly supporting her nation throughout battle
- Iga Swiatek has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine for the reason that nation’s battle with Russia first started.
- Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko thanked the world No. 1 for her efforts after their Italian Open match.
- Swiatek insisted “there’s nothing to thank for” and that it is “apparent that we must always assist Ukraine.”
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Lesia Tsurenko shared a heartwarming second following their Spherical of 32 match at this yr’s Italian Open.
After the ultimate level of Swiatek’s 6-2, 6-0 rout, each gamers approached the web for a customary handshake. However Tsurenko, a 33-year-old from Ukraine, held on for a beat longer than is typical.
Then, as she spoke, she gestured to the yellow-and-blue ribbon pinned to her chest.
Swiatek later confirmed throughout her post-match press convention that her opponent had been thanking her for her continued assist of Ukraine. And when Swiatek appeared to shake her head in response, the 21-year-old defined she was merely insisting that Tsurenko did not have to thank her.
—wta (@WTA) May 14, 2023
“It is very nice and I actually respect that,” Swiatek stated. “I feel there’s nothing to thank for as a result of, for me, it is fairly apparent that we must always assist Ukraine.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion, who hails from close by Poland, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine for the reason that early days after Russia invaded the nation. Along with frequently sporting a ribbon with Ukraine’s flag colours throughout matches and urging the nation to “keep sturdy” throughout victory speeches, Swiatek has additionally participated in and arranged charity occasions to profit her dwelling nation’s embattled neighbor.
AP Photograph/John Minchillo
In July, she hosted a one-day occasion referred to as “Iga Swiatek and Pals for Ukraine” in Warsaw to lift cash for Ukrainian youth impacted by the battle of their nation. She performed exhibition matches alongside a number of Polish stars, whereas Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina served because the umpire.
On the finish of the occasion, Swiatek and firm had raised greater than $500,000 for United 24, the Elina Svitolina Basis, and UNICEF Poland.
Krzysztof Porebski/PressFocus/MB Media/Getty Pictures
“It is actually vital for me to assist Ukrainians as a result of the battle mainly is true subsequent to my nation,” Swiatek stated after successful the US Open final summer time. “I am 21, so I did not even — I at all times lived in a spot the place I did not know that battle is definitely potential so near me.”
Swiatek, who received the Italian Open final yr, has solely misplaced two video games by means of the primary two rounds of the Rome-based match. She’ll face Croatian star Donna Vekić Monday with a visit to the quarterfinals on the road.