Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina wore a black ribbon during a match at Wimbledon in solidarity with the victims of the children’s hospital bombing in Kiev, Russia.
In a rare move, Wimbledon organizers have relaxed the strict all-white rules for Svitolina’s fourth-round match against Wang Xinyu on Monday.
Svitolina fought back tears on the court after winning 6-2 6-1. She said: “I performed very well today. Today is a very difficult day for the Ukrainian people.
“It was not easy to focus on the game today. It was very difficult to read the news since the morning. Just to play was very difficult. I am very happy to play today and get the win.
The tournament has a strict dress code: “Competitors must wear appropriate, almost all-white tennis attire, and this applies from the moment players enter around the court. White does not include off-white or cream.”
Svitolina confirmed Wimbledon organizers allowed her to wear the ribbon. “I think it’s understandable after such an attack on my country,” she said at a news conference after her win.
Ukraine was hit by Russian missiles on Monday, authorities said, killing at least 36 people in the country. Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital was one of the buildings attacked. Two hospital staff were killed and three children injured, although the search for people trapped in the rubble continued.
Svitolina said: “Today is an extremely sad day for all Ukrainians. It is really difficult for me to actually come here and do anything in some way. I just want to be myself room, with my emotions and everything.
Svitolina, ranked 21st in the world, said tennis is her way of raising awareness. “I have to put my head down and do whatever I can to do whatever I can,” she said. “Every Ukrainian is going out of their way to raise awareness, raise funds and help in any way they can.”
The player still has family in Ukraine, with whom she has maintained close contact during the conflict. “It’s nice to hear their voices. Of course, there are sad voices, but in a way my heart still warms when I talk to them,” Svitolina said.
Wimbledon has relaxed its strict dress code in the past. In 2022, tournament organizers allowed Poland’s world number one, Iga Swiatek, to wear a blue and yellow ribbon on his hat to show solidarity with Ukraine.
