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By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday July 11, 2023
After a disappointing loss to Elina Svitolina on Tuesday at Wimbledon, Iga Swiatek showed support for the Ukrainian, and told reporters that she’s rooting for her to win the title.
Swiatek says that she is impressed with the courage and conviction that the Ukrainian has shown at Wimbledon, and even told her at the net that she hopes she wins the tournament.
“Having a Grand Slam title would be pretty amazing for her,” she said of the 28-year-old Odessa native, who gave birth to her first child, Skai, just nine months ago, on October 15. “She's coming back after becoming a mother.
“I'll root for her, especially because we like each other as people. I told her on the net that I hope she wins this tournament.”
Swiatek and Svitolina have become friendly over the years, and that friendship was solidified when the Pole emerged as one of the biggest pillars of support for Ukrainian players since Russia’s brutal invasion began over 500 days ago, in February of 2022.
“I would say because she's a great person, she's a big champion,” Svitolina said of Swiatek. “She done so much, and doing still so much for Ukraine. We really admire her in Ukraine.”
“When I was away from tennis, I was really cheering for her, really happy with the results, really amazed what she is doing. It's really remarkable.”
Svitolina, playing in her 38th major, an her second since becoming a mother, is displaying newfound aggression in her game. Once passive and cautious under pressure, she was quick to push the envelope on Tuesday against Swiatek.
Though disappointed, the Pole is hoping that her friend has her long awaited breakthrough on the big stage.
“You know how it is in tennis: it's tough to win a Grand Slam,” she said. “I know that for sure she wants it really bad. So I will be rooting for her.”