Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has won against Russian player Anastasia at the Monterrey Open on Tuesday and vowed to donate her prize money to Ukrainian army.
Svitolina who defeated her opponent 6-2, 6-1 in 62 minutes put her hand on her heart and waved to the crowd after she won the opening round match.
“I was on a mission for my country,” Svitolina said, talking at an on-court interview of her performance.
This was a very special match for me and moment here… I am in a very sad mood, but I’m happy that I’m playing tennis here, she said.
She also wore blue and yellow — the colours of the Ukrainian flag — on the court for the match.
Elated fans said “She went to the match, set on winning the prize, to help her Country (protect from invasion, feed the hungry, medicines).