Ukrainian tennis sensation Elina Svitolina has affirmed her readiness to take up arms for her homeland if the need arises. The world’s 23rd-ranked player has been utilizing her considerable influence to generate funds and shape global consciousness regarding Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.
Svitolina, a two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, acquired hands-on training in rocket launcher usage during a recent visit to Ukraine. At 30, she confirms her willingness to join the battlefront for her country if circumstances call for it.
Since 2022, Svitolina has been at the forefront of fundraising efforts for Ukraine, continuously reminding the world of the country’s conflict with Russia. The 17-time titleholder proudly serves as an ambassador for United24, a government initiative spearheaded by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed at raising capital for Ukraine’s defense.
The former world No. 3 attributes her tenacity on the tennis court to her Ukrainian fighting spirit and concedes that she would translate this same fervor to the battlefield if necessary.
During a recent conversation with Bild, Svitolina was explicitly asked about her willingness to go to war. Without hesitation, she asserted, “I would go, for sure.” She elaborated on her current efforts, stating, “I know I’m not in that situation now because I have my family. I’m also probably more useful collecting money than I was on the front line.”
Over the past three years, Svitolina has raised over 1.5 million euros for her country. She believes this achievement has greater impact than her potential contribution on the battlefield. Drawing attention to the early days of the war, she noted, “Many soldiers had no training at the start of the war, they just took their guns and tried to defend their home and their city.”
Svitolina is not entirely unfamiliar with military gear. The tennis star has previously worn a military uniform and received weapon training. She actively fundraises for the Charter combat brigade, aiding their procurement of drones. She even had the opportunity to visit their Kharkiv base during the off-season.
After her victory at the Strasbourg tournament in 2023, Svitolina swiftly donated her winnings to Charter, which they utilized to purchase weapons. Images of her learning how to operate a rocket launcher during a visit to their training ground in December have circulated widely.
Expressing her unwavering support for the troops, Svitolina said, “When I go to the training ground, I always have the will to do that. My spirit is a fighting spirit. I think you can see that on the court.”
Despite the stark contrast between the tennis court and the battlefield, Svitolina feels a deep connection with those on the front line. “When they go to the front line, they start fighting for the country. When they’re wounded, they recover and then keep fighting,” she said, adding, “When you have a mission, when you have a goal for your country, you don’t see anything that could destroy you. Nothing that could happen to you. You just go there. I think that’s a soldier’s mentality.”
Currently, Svitolina is participating in the Indian Wells tournament, where she has made it to the last 16. After her latest match, she took a moment to express her gratitude to her “friends in the USA” for their “kindness and solidarity” during such trying times.