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Tennis News –
Elina Svitolina: "Right now there is no desire in me to pick up a tennis racket again, all my efforts are focused on helping Ukraine" The most decorated Ukrainian tennis player talked about her role as an ambassador for the charitable platform United24 “Now all my efforts are focused on a charitable foundation United24 and the ways how I can help Ukraine,” Elina Svitolina said on the air of a national telethon. “Right now there is no desire in me to pick up a tennis racket again. As soon as the war began on February 24, it was very difficult for me to be on court and play, while watching what all the Ukrainians and those people who defend our country are going through. Therefore, this is now a great motivation to help and try to do something for Ukraine, which has given me a lot. Thanks to the United24 platform, we will try to raise funds to help Ukraine. This is the biggest task for Andriy Shevchenko and me at the moment, to do everything possible so that the world does not forget about the war, so there is as much attention as possible to Ukraine, so people do not forget about us and understand that we need help more than ever. To raise funds, we have planned 5-6 events before the end of the year. These are charity matches, auctions, various meetings with sponsors. With such events, as, for example, Andriy Shevchenko held yesterday, we remind you that we still have a war going on, we are in a state where we need help. With such events, which are also planned on my part, we will try to show what is happening and how these people can help us." So far the United24 charitable initiative has received around $55 million through donations. This platform covers three areas: defense and demining, medical aid and rebuild of Ukraine. “After the funds are raised, we will see which of the three areas will be the hottest at that time,” Svitolina said. “It will all depend on the current situation in Ukraine and what will be most needed. If I could choose, I’d love to focus on medical aid and helping kids, these areas are personally important to me. This is one of the big goals for me. But I understand that Ukraine will need help in all areas. When we win, we will need help to rebuild infrastructure, it will be very important. At the moment, I will focus more on medicine, although I want to help all areas that United24 works in”. In a recent interview with BBC Ukraine Svitolina revealed she’s been struggling mentally to cope with all the news from her homeland. “It was a very difficult time for me. Especially at the beginning of the war. A few days earlier I just found out I was pregnant, and then the war started. It was very difficult to bear all of it mentally. In 5 days I played in Mexico, and then there were two big tournaments in the USA. Am I satisfied with the reaction of tennis organizations, in particular on the issue of banning Russian players? I believe that not enough has been done at all. And regarding this issue, too. The statements made by tennis organizations were not good enough. I believe that little has been said in support of Ukrainians. I have been with Ukrainian players many times at meetings with top officials of tennis governing bodies. Unfortunately, they do not fully understand the whole situation of what’s happening in Ukraine, and, unfortunately, they do not want to meet us halfway”. Elina Svitolina also said many members of her family are still in Ukraine. “After 10 days, my parents were able to leave Odessa, but the rest of the family, aunt, uncle, grandmother - they stayed in Odessa. They will not leave. My grandmother is elderly, so it is difficult for her to move. I keep in touch with them every day, I try to cheer them up, because mentally it's very tough, especially for people who had to follow their routine in daily life. My parents are now in Monaco, I see them quite enough. Now I really appreciate this time. The war has united all of us very deeply, they are very worried and want to return to Ukraine, to return to their normal life”. Website BTU - Ukrainian Tennis - joins the fundraising to help internally displaced persons in Dnipropetrovsk Region
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