As “the happiest and the most tragic” year of Elina Svitolina’s life nears an end, the Ukrainian player once again used her platform to raise awareness and funds in support of her country.
In between acing her role as a new mom to baby Skaï and hinting at a WTA Tour return, Svitolina hosted the third annual charity gala and auction for her eponymous foundation last week. Held at the Monaco Yacht Club, the event raised €240,000 ($251,000 US) for her foundation and the United24 program launched by Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“This year has been both the happiest and the most tragic for me,” Svitolina wrote on Instagram. “The moment when I found out that Gael and I were going to have a child, the war broke out in my country. Even now, I still can’t fully describe what I was feeling at that moment.
“I felt hurt and powerless because I couldn’t stop this terrible war. However, I made a decision to take action.”