Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina wore a black ribbon and broke down in tears as she made the Wimbledon quarter-finals, hours after a Russian missile barrage killed dozens and ripped open a children’s hospital in Kyiv.
Svitolina wept on court after reaching the last eight at Wimbledon for a third time with a 6-2 6-1 win against China’s Wang Xinyu in just 55 minutes.
The 21st seed, wearing a black ribbon on her white shirt, was in action after Russia struck cities across Ukraine in missile attacks, which heavily damaged a Kyiv children’s hospital.
“It’s a very difficult day today for all Ukraine people,” said the 29-year-old Svitolina.
As she attempted to compose herself, she received a lengthy round of applause from spectators on Court Two.
“It was not easy to focus on the match. Since this morning it has been very difficult to read the news and go on court.”
Svitolina will next play Russian-born Kazakh Elena Rybakina, who defeated an injury-hit Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 3-0.
Wimbledon prohibited Russian players from competing in 2022 in response to the war in Ukraine – and Svitolina said she wished the tournament had stuck with the ban.
“Of course, I would prefer that,” she replied when asked about the prospect of the ban being reintroduced.
“But it is how it is now. I cannot change. We tried every possible way to talk with many organisations.”
Svitolina, in line with all Ukraine players, refuses to shake hands with Russian opponents but insisted she would offer her hand to Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, when they clash.
“She changed her nationality, so it means she doesn’t want to represent her original country,” said Svitolina.
“When you have these sad days where you don’t want to do anything, it was this kind of day for me,” Svitolina said.
“It’s difficult really to explain, I guess, because for us Ukrainians, it’s very close to our heart and a very sensitive topic, very sensitive emotions that we feel every single day.
“But today was one of the days where it was even more difficult because the missile landed on the kids’ hospital. Straightaway you see images and everything that happened.”
The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out strikes on defence industry targets and aviation bases in Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Elsewhere, former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko beat Iga Swiatek’s conqueror Yulia Putintseva 6-2 6-3 and Barbora Krejcikova knocked out American Danielle Collins 7-5 6-3.
Wimbledon women’s singles quarter-final line-up
Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) v Barbora Krejcikova (CZE)
Elena Rybakina (KAZ) v Elina Svitolina (UKR)
Lulu Sun (NZL) v Donna Vekic (CRO)
Jasmine Paolini (ITA) v Emma Navarro (USA)
– with AFP