Explosive duel for Switolina: A tennis fairy tale under the burden of war

Explosive duel for Switolina
A tennis fairy tale under the weight of war

At the French Open, the Russian war of aggression always comes into focus. The Ukrainian Jelina Switolina speaks impressive words on her fairytale journey through the tournament in Paris – and is about to face the most explosive sporting duel to date.

Actually, Jelina Switolina’s emotional family story at the French Open would be a classic sports fairy tale. At the very first Grand Slam tournament as the mother of a seven-month-old daughter, the 28-year-old reached the quarterfinals and was heartily cheered on by her husband and tennis pro Gaël Monfils. The French audience loves and applauds her.

By the Russian war of aggression on the home of the world number 192. from the Ukraine, her return to the big tennis stage after maternity leave is not a feel-good story. “The war changed me in many ways,” reported Switolina at the classic clay court in Paris. “I value the time with my family more. I’m trying to understand how happy I am, where I am and having a voice. I want to give something back.”

Now it’s against the protagonist Sabalenka

She donated the prize money from her victory at the preparatory tournament in Strasbourg for Ukrainian children, and in Paris she clearly demanded the support of the international community for Ukraine. In Paris, the political world repeatedly collides with the world of sport, which officials like to characterize as supposedly apolitical.

Twice Switolina defeated competitors from Russia at this French Open – and now has to do it in the most explosive duel so far with the world number two Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus. In Paris, the Australian Open winner was confronted with critical questions about her attitude to the war and the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko. In consultation with the organizers, she twice refused the usual press conference, claiming her “mental health”. Also before the game against Switolina on Tuesday.

“I represent my country. I have a voice”

Even after this encounter, the Ukrainian will not shake hands with her opponent as is usual in tennis. “Imagine a boy or a girl who is at the front right now and is looking at me and I’m pretending nothing has happened. I represent my country. I have a voice,” explained Switolina, which was shared by all the players common practice in Ukraine in matches against opponents from Russia and Belarus. There are no shared photos either. “What the Russian government and Russian soldiers are doing in our country is really, really terrible,” stressed Svitolina.

After her round of 16 victory against Darja Kassatkina, there was also no handshake – even if Switolina speaks of the Russian with great respect. Several times she had opposed the war with clear words. “I’m really thankful for the position she took. She’s a really brave person, she said it publicly, not many players have that,” praised Switolina. Both players gave each other a thumbs up on the pitch.

The day after her defeat, Kassatkina once again sent a digital message of reconciliation after she was booed by sections of the audience as she left the seat. She left Paris with a bitter feeling because of this reaction. “Jelina and I showed each other respect after the difficult game,” wrote the 26-year-old on Twitter. “Love each other. Don’t spread hate. Try to make the world a better place.”

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