"Mentally I feel safer in Ukraine than anywhere else": Svitolina | Video

The Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina acknowledged this Wednesday that Ukraine is currently “unsafe”so he has to plan his trips there "very well", although he also indicated that “mentally” she feels “safer than anywhere else in the world”.

Svitolina declared to Mean PA.

Of course it is unsafe (to travel to Ukraine), because the country is in a state of war. I have to plan it very well with security measures and always be careful. But mentally I feel safer in Ukraine than in any other part of the world.

Together with the former Ukrainian soccer player Andriy Shevchenko, Svitolina, 28 years old, is ambassador of United24, the official platform of fundraising For Ukraine, at war over the invasion of Russia for over a year. Besides, his own foundation, created to support young tennis players, has expanded its activities to help Ukrainian refugees.

I have been quite interested in politics, and especially this time, when I was pregnant. I have many friends who hold various positions in Ukrainian politics, and also many friends who know a lot about the subject.

However, Svitolina admitted that “never” wanted to “follow that path”.

I just want to be aware of what is happening in my country, learn and understand how we can help people at different levels. I am very happy with the position I am in right now, using my platform and my voice in every possible way through the sport. This is my path and I feel like I'm in the right place, and I want to use it to help people.

Next week, Svitolina returns to Wimbledon, where he signed some semifinals in 2019 as the best result, after receiving a 'wild card' because her ranking, after her pregnancy, was not high enough to directly enter the picture.

The player claimed to be "very happy" to have rediscovered "that fighting spiritplaying well under pressure.

I hope I can continue like this. I am very motivated to get back on the training track and find my good game and my good mentality again.

Although for Svitolina, “The hardest thing is being away” from her son. "Physically I feel good and I hit well, but the mentality of being in the game and concentrating from start to finish has been the hardest for me“, he analyzed.

Finally, the Ukrainian insisted that he wants to return “home in the near future”.

I don't know exactly when, maybe in a few months, maybe half a year. Obviously, the tennis season is packed with tournaments, but as soon as I get the chance, I will definitely plan to go there.

I want to see my grandmother, my father and my friends. I miss my country a lot and, above all, what is happening now, that many cities that mean a lot to me have suffered a lot of damage.

(With information from Europe Press)