The world number 15 told Eurosport that her family and friends in Ukraine are protecting the country and that’s why she wants to help.
He said, “Actually until the very last moment, we didn’t believe that this war would actually start, and then everything happened in the night… Everybody’s scared, everyone’s sad. My family is there. My very own. There are all friends who have not left the country, they are there too. They are fighting for their lives, some of them are fighting for our country. It takes a lot of courage, and it is astonishing that some people are fighting for their lives. I took arms and went to fight for our land.”
Svitolina said, “The most painful thing I would say is that I feel completely worthless because I want to help them. I want to do something for them. Some of my friends are without electricity, without water, without food.” They are really struggling.”
Svitolina, who is competing in Monterrey this week ahead of tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami in the United States, said she has strengthened herself mentally, but admitted that people who were traveling back home was worse.
Svitolina said, “That’s why I decided to give the prize money of my upcoming tournaments in Mexico and other states to the Ukrainian military and humanitarian needs. That way, I can help my country and that’s it, I think.” This is the right time to do it. I want to do something and help my country.”
Ukraine’s health ministry said on Sunday that 352 civilians, including 14 children, had been killed since the start of Russia’s invasion. It also said that 1,684 people, including 116 children, were injured.