“Wimbledon has become black for me” - Elina Svitolina makes heartbreaking remark in light of Russia's latest attack on Ukraine

Elina Svitolina was deeply saddened after Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital - Ukraine's biggest pediatrics facility - was hit by a wave of Russian missiles. The Ukrainian has been vocal about her support for her country and has also refused to perform the ceremonious post-match handshake with Russians and Belarusians since the war began.

Svitolina is currently competing at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships where she has successfully made it to the quarterfinals. The 21st seed ousted Magda Linette, Julie Niemeier, two-time finalist Ons Jabeur and Xiyu Wang en route.

During her match against Wang, she wore a black ribbon to show her solidarity with the citizens of her nation who suffered yet another attack. She also talked about it in the on-court interview stating it was hard for her to concentrate in the match today with everything going on.

Elina Svitolina also took to her Instagram where she shared a heartbreaking remark calling her match against Wang one of the toughest of her life mentally. She stated that Wimbledon has become "black" for her and shared her thoughts and love with her people in Ukraine.

"Today was one of the most difficult matches in my life, mentally it was beyond anything I have ever faced but fails in comparison to what my people at home are going through. Wimbledon has become black for me today. All my love and thoughts are with Ukraine and our Ukrainian people 💔."

She thanked everyone for their support and urged people to raise funds for the Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital. The Ukrainian ended her statement by calling for the end of "this evil."

"Thank you all for your support. Please join the @u24.gov.ua fundraising for the Children’s Hospital «Okhmatdyt», where kids with cancer were treated, today the hospital was destroyed by russian missiles. This evil must stop✊🏼🇺🇦."

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“It’s been approved by Wimbledon today… The black ribbon" - Elina Svitolina sheds light on the symbolism of her ribbon as she looks ahead to her Wimbledon QF

Elina Svitolina was asked what it meant to wear the black ribbon during the press conference. She said that Wimbledon had approved it for the day which she found understandable after an attack on her country.

Elina Svitolina - Getty Images

The 21st seed explained that the occasion is huge and she wants to do her best to defend her semifinal points. She was proud of the way she managed the pressure so far but wanted to continue handling the pressure and do her best.

“It’s been approved by Wimbledon today… The black ribbon. I feel like it’s understandable after such a big attack on my country. For me it’s such a big event. I want to play well here and try to do my very best to defend the semifinal. It’s important for me to take one match at a time. I have had great matches from the first round. Very tough opponents. I’ve been playing well and handling the pressure well. I’ll just try to go out there and do my best.”

Elina Svitolina will play the 2022 champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals next. This will be the fifth meeting between the two women with both having won two matches each against each other.