Elina Svitolina, Ukraine’s star tennis player, has taken to her social media platforms to send a heartfelt message to her American supporters from Indian Wells. Currently ranked 23rd in the world, Svitolina has been enjoying an exceptional week of tennis both on and off the court.
Svitolina has been making waves in the tournament with her impressive gameplay, defeating Ashlyn Krueger and Danielle Collins to advance to the round-of-16. Her next challenge is against Jessica Pegula, but with the overwhelming support she’s been receiving from the stands, she’s far from alone on the court.
Not only has her performance been noteworthy, but the level of support and encouragement Svitolina has received off the court has been equally remarkable. She has been approached by countless individuals offering kind words and expressing their solidarity with Ukraine.
Feeling the weight of these heartfelt interactions, the 30-year-old tennis star felt compelled to publicly acknowledge and thank those who have stood by her side. Svitolina took to social media, expressing her profound gratitude to her supporters in the United States.
She wrote: “Dear friends in the USA from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your unwavering support. Your kindness and solidarity remind me that even in the darkest times, we are not alone. Your compassion fuels our hope and inspires us to keep striving for a brighter future together.”
Svitolina, a 2023 Wimbledon semifinalist, was particularly touched by her warm reception in Indian Wells. She was “pleasantly surprised” by the outpouring of support she received from the crowd. She noted, “Absolutely, the support on court was amazing. Even before the match, people approached me and shared encouraging words. Many have reached out through social media. I’m pleasantly surprised. It’s great that people support us and stand with Ukrainians.”
As she steps onto the court to face Pegula in her next match, she does so with full confidence that she will continue to receive the same level of support. Despite Pegula being a home favorite in Indian Wells, the support for Svitolina from the locals has been undeniable. The Ukrainian tennis star has made it clear she feels far from alone on the court, and it’s evident she will continue to fight on, both on the court and for her home country.