Svitolina, during the current Miami Masters 1000. /
Elena Svitolina, number twenty in the world, claims to be physically ill, due to back pain, and mentally due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings another sad news for the sport. Elena Svitolina, number twenty in the world and first Ukrainian racket, has decided to stop her activity. Some discomfort in the back and the war that takes place in her country are behind her decision, which she has communicated this Tuesday in a message posted on her Twitter account. “I watch with pain in my heart what is happening in my homeland,” laments the Odessa player.
“It has been a difficult two months for me, both mentally and physically. For some time I have had back pain and the pain has not allowed me to prepare for tournaments in the best way. Meanwhile, I watch with pain in my heart what is happening in my homeland, Ukraine. My compatriots are showing bravery and courage defending our country. That gave me the strength to continue competing, but my body can’t take it anymore and I need to rest”, wrote Svitolina, who confirms that she will not be in the Fed Cup and in “many of her favorite tournaments in Europe”, without confirming her return date . “I’m sure we’ll see each other soon,” she confirmed for the peace of mind of tennis.
The 27-year-old Ukrainian has lost in recent tournaments, the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells and Miami, in the first round, as well as in Doha and Adelaide, the latter twice. Her season is completed, for the moment, with a third round at the Australian Open, eighth in Dubai and fourth in Monterrey. Her ceiling is the number three in the world that she reached in 2017. In her record the title of the 2018 WTA finals shines, when she defeated Ashleigh Barty, who last week retired despite being the number one of the world Svitolina is married to fellow tennis player Gael Monfils. The Frenchman, a 35-year-old veteran, is going through a second youth in his tennis.
A kickboxing champion dies after a bombing
Today the death of the Ukrainian Maksym Kagal, kickboxing world champion in 2014, has also been known. A bombing by the Russian army in Mariúpol has ended his life. “Unfortunately war takes the best. Sleep well, brother, rest in peace, we will avenge you », his coach has written on social networks. Kagal had joined the Ukrainian army in the Azov Battalion.
