Elina Svitolina recently expressed her thoughts about her anti-handshake stance against the Russian tennis players. Ukraine has been in dispute with Russia since 2022, as the latter started a full-scale invasion.
She is currently playing at the Billie Jean King Cup and earned a spot for Ukraine in the semifinals after defeating Paula Badosa in the quarter-final round. With her securing a 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 win against the Spanish and Marta Kostyuk defeating Jessica Maneiro earlier the same day, the Ukrainian team has now reached the tournament's semi-final for the first time.
Ahead of this match, Svitolina spoke to AS, where she responded to questions surrounding the ins and outs of her anti-handshake stance against the Russian players. Expressing her feelings about this, she said she doesn't want anything to do with a government, who has done 'horrible' things to the Ukrainians. Showing solidarity with her people, she said:
"I can only speak from my perspective. For me, as a Ukrainian, it pains me greatly to wake up every day to news of Russian missiles falling on my country, destroying and even killing people. That's why I think any kind of propaganda must stop. I don't want anything to do with a government that does horrible things to my people. I just want peace for my country, to return to Ukraine without fear for my life or that of my family," said Elina Svitolina.
The 31-year-old has been one of the most vocal advocates in this topic, showing support to Ukraine various times while she was court. From wearing a black ribbon during the 2024 Wimbledon Championships writing an emotional message for the Ukrainians, the player has always expressed her feelings about the ongoing situations.
When Elina Svitolina reflected on not shaking hands with Daria Kasatkina at the French open 2023
During the 2023 French Open, Elina Svitolina defeated the Russian player, Daria Kastkina, in the fourth round, claiming a 6-4, 7-6 win. After this game, the two players did not shake hands with each other, however, there was a thumbs-up gesture between the two.
After this game, Svitolina was questioned about her decision to not shake Kasatkina's hands. Svitolina responded by saying that she was responding to her country, and with the Russian government doing terrible things to Ukraine, she was showing support for her country with a gesture like this.
“Can you imagine the guy or a girl who is right now in the front line, looking at me and I'm acting like nothing is happening. I'm representing my country. I have a voice. I'm standing with Ukraine. What the Russian government, Russian soldiers are doing on our land is really, really terrible," said Elina Svitolina. (as quoted by TNT Sports)
She added:
"So that's why it follows. We are Ukrainians, we all unite for one goal, for the goal of winning this war, and we do everything what is on regarding this topic."
In April, Elina Svitolina shared a strong message about Ukrainian children reportedly being taken to Russia amid the war.