Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk raise trophies for war-torn Ukraine on the tennis court – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)
Rome – Elina Svitolina lifted the Italian Open trophy on Saturday, extending a run of success that has placed two Ukrainian players at the center of the WTA spotlight. Her victory followed Marta Kostyuk’s Madrid Open triumph two weeks earlier, creating back-to-back 1000-level titles for athletes whose country remains under sustained attack. The timing carried added weight after a Russian missile strike on Kyiv killed 24 people, including three teenagers, just days before the final.
Victory Speeches That Reached Home
Svitolina used the post-match ceremony to acknowledge the strain felt across Ukraine. She spoke directly to supporters who had followed her matches from bomb shelters during recent nights of heavy bombardment. The message ended with the familiar national refrain of “Slava Ukraini,” a phrase that has become a steady refrain in her public remarks since the full-scale invasion began.
Kostyuk struck a similar note after her Madrid final. Her closing words paired gratitude to supporters with an explicit reference to national endurance. Both players have maintained this approach even as the physical demands of the clay-court swing intensify ahead of the French Open.
Form That Overcame Personal and Professional Setbacks
Svitolina’s path back to the top tier has been marked by a maternity break in 2022 that dropped her ranking as low as 236. At 31 she has rebuilt steadily, reaching No. 7 in the world and third in the season-long race standings behind only Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka. Her Rome run included straight-set victories over three reigning Grand Slam champions: Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
Kostyuk, ranked 15th, arrived in Madrid after claiming a smaller clay title in Rouen. She has now won 11 consecutive matches despite withdrawing from Rome with hip and ankle concerns. Svitolina noted that her younger compatriot has added consistency to an already strong game, a development that has lifted seven Ukrainian women into the WTA top 100.
Protocol That Reflects Ongoing Realities
Neither player has shaken hands with opponents from Russia or Belarus since the war began. Kostyuk followed that practice after defeating Mirra Andreeva in the Madrid final. The International Olympic Committee’s recent decision to restore full national identity for Belarusian athletes drew a measured response from Svitolina, who described the move as painful while the conflict continues.
Players from both countries continue to compete under neutral status without national flags. Ukrainian athletes have treated the policy as a necessary boundary rather than a political statement, one that remains in place as long as missiles continue to strike Ukrainian cities.
Family Milestones Ahead of Roland Garros
Svitolina’s husband, Gael Monfils, plans to retire after this year’s French Open. She described the coming weeks as both demanding and meaningful for their family, with attention split between her own title defense hopes and his final appearances at a tournament that has long held personal significance.
The couple will balance those commitments while seven Ukrainian players prepare for the Grand Slam that begins Sunday. Their collective presence offers younger athletes at home a visible example that sustained effort can produce results even under extraordinary pressure.
