The Ukrainian qualified this Friday, June 2 for the round of 16 of the Porte d’Auteuil tennis tournament. For 5 years, she shares the life of the French player, they are parents of a little girl. In addition to being a top athlete and a mother, she is also committed against the Russian invasion of her native country.
“I was screaming in my room! If anyone heard me, I was the one cheering on Gaël! It was an incredible game.” These words are those of the Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina, Wednesday, May 31, after her qualification for the third round of Roland-Garros.
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In the traditional post-match speech, she sent a touching message to … Gaël Monfils, after the latter went to the end of his strength, Tuesday 29, to dominate the Argentinian Sebastien Baez in the first round.
Because Elina Svitolina is none other than the wife of the French tennis player. For 5 years, she has shared the life of the 36-year-old Parisian. Since October 2022, they have been the parents of a little girl named Skai.
Their initial common denominator being tennis, it was over reunions at tournaments around the world that their romance was born.
A champion
A couple who experienced a tumultuous period, in 2021, even separating for several weeks, before picking up the pieces and even getting married.
Elina Svitolina is 28 years old. Native of Odessa, on the shores of the Black Sea, she is currently the 192nd player in the world. But during a (very) rich career, marked by 17 titles, she rose to 3rd in the world in 2017.
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In terms of Grand Slam tournaments, her most prosperous year dates back to 2019: she then reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon and then the US Open.
Committed against the Russian invasion
Elina Svitolina also shows her commitment against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She lives in anguish for the health of her relatives, who remained in Odessa, in particular her grandmother, 81 years old and too old to leave.
For the past year, the player has been an ambassador for the “United 24” association, created by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose goal is to raise funds to help all Ukrainians affected by the war.
2023-06-02 16:28:00
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