Elina Svitolina Hopes Her Tennis Will Take Focus Off Politics in Ukraine
Tennis - Ukraine's Elina Svitolina says she hopes to provide hope for her countrymen and women with her success in tennis even as her country continues to struggle with internal politics and strife. The 24-year-old Svitolina is ranked No. 4 in the world and captured the season-ending WTA Tour Finals in London in November for the biggest title of her career and set herself up as a Grand Slam contender in 2019.
Speaking to CNN Sport, Svitolina says, "Politics is always going to be there and, constantly, every day, you hear bad news. That's very tough, especially for kids and for the future. That's why I try to do the best I can. It's been tough for Ukraine to focus on something different from politics, but I always say if everyone does their own job 100% everyone will be fine. I just try to do the best I can, promote sport and that's what's most important for me."
Speaking about her recent visit to Ukraine, Svitolina says, "My week was crazy. It was amazing to see so many happy faces and lots of people inspired by my win. I didn't really think that many people were watching and supporting and just following tennis. It definitely made me realize I have the input of young kinds and, for me, it's very important to promote sport in Ukraine because in Ukraine we have lots of different stuff going on and sport is not on the front pages. That's why I try to do my best, and what's in my power, to promote sport and to introduce it for small kids."
Speaking of the young generation of players in Ukraine, Svitolina says, "There are lots of good players, lots of kids who want to play. I just think parents are not ready to invest in their child, and tennis is one of the most expensive sports, and that's why it can be very challenging. I know my parents sacrificed a lot for me to start playing and then turning professional, so that's why I know how tough it is. Hopefully, my success can bring sponsors and people involved, not only in tennis but general sport. I spoke to a lot of Ukrainian athletes and I know how tough it is in other sports to become an elite athlete so that's why, hopefully, we'll have more people investing in sport in Ukraine."
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from Tennis World USA http://bit.ly/2GUUiOy
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