Elina Svitolina says she witnessed “the horror and consequences” the Russian army left in Bucha and Irpin as the Ukrainian tennis star is now raising funds to help the Ukrainians from Irpin return to their homes. In February, Svitolina returned to Ukraine for the first time since the Russian invasion started.
Svitolina, the biggest name in Ukrainian tennis, is the ambassador for UNITED24 – a fundraising platform initiated by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “A month has passed since I visited Bucha and Irpin and saw with my own eyes all the horror and consequences of the Russian invasion.
Lost and destroyed lives, the homes of our people. So grateful to @grammarly for joining my fundraiser and contributing $80,000. For my part, I will add another $20,000. This way, only $20,000 remains to be raised for the restoration of the residential complex at 53 Kyivska Street in Iprin.
I invite you to join, so that 390 Ukrainians can return home as soon as possible,” Svitolina wrote in her message.
“So grateful to @grammarly ð for joining my fundraiser and contributing $80,000.
For my part, I will add another $20,000.
This way, only $20,000 remains to be raised for the restoration of the residential complex at 53 Kyivska Street in Iprin”. — U24 (@U24_gov_ua) March 17, 2023
Svitolina set to make a tennis comeback in Charleston
After the 2022 Miami Open, Svitolina announced an indefinite break from tennis.
In October, Svitolina and her husband Gael Monfils welcomed their first child. Now, Svitolina has been confirmed for a clay tournament in Charleston, which is starting on April 3rd. The Charleston organizers are also hosting Tennis Plays for Peace Pro-Am – a charity event for Ukraine.
“Increasing awareness and raising funds for Ukraine is very important to us as a tournament and to our players. We are passionate about working with Elina, who has a deep and personal understanding of the needs in her home country right now, to further exemplify the mission of Tennis Plays for Peace and stand united with Ukraine,” Charleston tournament director Bob Moran said in a statement. It remains to be seen how will former world No 3 Svitolina do in her first tournament back.
