In the upcoming Wimbledon semi-final, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina, 28, aims to continue her impressive run. Svitolina has been vocal about the suffering in her home country due to an ongoing war, expressing her gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received. Her next match is against Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova, both players being unseeded.
If Svitolina emerges victorious, she will advance to the final, where she might face world number two and Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka, provided Sabalenka defeats Ons Jabeur in her semi-final match. Svitolina, along with other Ukrainian players, has chosen not to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players as a form of protest against the war, given Belarus’ close alliance with Russia.
The issue of handshakes may also arise for the All England Club if Sabalenka were to win the title, as the trophy is scheduled to be presented by Princess Kate. The Daily Mail has even speculated whether Svitolina’s potential victory could save the Princess from an awkward situation of handing the trophy to a Belarusian.
Svitolina, currently ranked 76th, is poised to make a significant climb back to the top 30 next week. Her journey to the semi-finals has been impressive, defeating four Grand Slam champions along the way, including Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka, and world number one Iga Swiatek. After her match against Azarenka, Svitolina once again refrained from shaking hands with her Belarusian opponent.
Svitolina attributes her strength and resilience to the war, stating that it has transformed her perspective on difficult situations. She believes there are more significant challenges in life and points to motherhood and the war as catalysts for her personal growth.
Meanwhile, Marketa Vondrousova, ranked 42nd, has reached the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since finishing as the runner-up at the 2019 French Open. She has defeated four seeded players en route to the semis, including a remarkable comeback from 4-1 down in the final set against fourth-ranked Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka, currently in her fourth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final and second at Wimbledon, has experienced her fair share of challenges. Along with other Belarusian and Russian players, she was banned from the tournament last year. However, Sabalenka believes the ban provided her with an opportunity to reset her career. Since then, she has made the semi-finals of the US Open, won the Australian Open in January, and reached another Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open in June. Her powerful serve, including a tournament-leading 35 aces at Wimbledon, has been a standout feature. A victory at Wimbledon would further solidify her successful 2023 season, which already includes three titles and 40 match wins.
In the other semi-final, 28-year-old Ons Jabeur aims to build on her achievements from last year as she returns to the semi-finals for a second consecutive time. Jabeur avenged her loss to Elena Rybakina in last year’s final by defeating her in this year’s quarter-final. Jabeur admitted that watching last year’s final remains “too painful” for her. The Tunisian player has shown resilience throughout the tournament, coming back from a set down against former US Open winner Bianca Andreescu in the third round and overcoming a deficit against Rybakina.
As the semi-finals approach, fans eagerly await the thrilling matches and the potential clash between Svitolina and Sabalenka in the politically-charged Wimbledon final.
