Elina Svitolina has strongly criticized Donald Trump, claiming his decisions have “deeply hurt the Ukrainian people” during their ongoing war with Russia.
The world’s attention turned to the White House last Friday when Trump engaged in a heated and explosive argument with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky had traveled to the Oval Office hoping to secure a critical minerals deal that would also ensure continued U.S. support for Ukraine’s war efforts.
However, tensions escalated rapidly, and the meeting devolved into a dramatic shouting match. Ultimately, Zelensky was asked to leave the White House without finalizing the agreement.
This shocking incident has left Svitolina, a proud Ukrainian and two-time Wimbledon semi-finalist, feeling “truly heartbroken” for the millions of innocent lives affected by the conflict.
In an interview with The Athletic, she criticized Trump for making decisions she believes have hindered Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
While she acknowledged the support provided by the previous U.S. administration, she expressed disappointment with the current leadership’s approach.
“The United States has been helping us for a long period of time now,” said Svitolina. “Our government is working really hard to still find the ways, the solutions for the decisions. They’re trying everything and to maybe find other ways, other allies, or something.
“We are just hoping for the best. We are living with unimaginable challenges, pressure, and just not knowing what’s coming tomorrow. Right now, I feel like we are united even more because we feel like the United States is not helping us much for the past few weeks.
“We have to unite, we have to help each other, for the country that we love. Trump just started and already made a lot of decisions that really hurt the Ukrainians. I’m just really sad for all innocent people.”
Svitolina has consistently used her platform to advocate for Ukraine’s cause on the global stage in recent years.
As one of the nation’s most celebrated athletes, she has leveraged her prominence to draw attention to the ongoing struggles faced by her homeland.
The 30-year-old serves as an ambassador for United24, Ukraine’s primary fundraising initiative established in response to the Russian invasion.
Last year, she made a powerful statement at Wimbledon by wearing a black ribbon in honor of the victims of a Russian missile strike on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, demonstrating her unwavering solidarity with those affected by the conflict.
Andrea Petkovic warns opponents to be vary of Madison Keys at Indian Wells
Former German tennis star Andrea Petkovic believes Madison Keys will be a formidable opponent for anyone at Indian Wells if she advances beyond the second round.
The WTA 1000 event, scheduled from March 5 to 16, will feature some of the biggest names in tennis competing for the prestigious title.
Keys, who recently claimed the biggest victory of her career by winning her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, is set to make her return to the court after a month-long break.
The American triumphed over world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5, and will now aim to carry that momentum into Indian Wells.
In a recent report by The Tennis Gazette, Petkovic highlighted Keys’ potential, stating that the American could pose a serious threat to any player if she makes it past the early rounds of the tournament.
“I honestly think if she gets through the first two rounds, she will be very dangerous,” said Petkovic. “I do think for these type of players who hit the ball so hard in Indian Wells, the first two rounds are very difficult. The ball flies, and the thing that we all get wrong, all the professional tennis players in the world, you think you have to then decelerate, because the ball is flying, and you have to accelerate. And if she can figure that out in the first two rounds, she will be very dangerous at Indian Wells.”
This year, world number two Iga Swiatek of Poland will return to Indian Wells to defend her title. Swiatek claimed the championship last year with a dominant performance, defeating Greece’s Maria Sakkari in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, in the final.
Meanwhile, Madison Keys had a disappointing run in the 2023 tournament, exiting in the third round after a straight-sets loss to Yulia Putintseva, 6-4, 6-1.
