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Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina didn't win the Monterrey title but for her mission at the Mexican event was bigger than just winning it all. Svitolina came to Monterrey absolutely heartbroken and devastated over what's happening in her home country.
Svitolina dedicated every one of her wins to Ukraine and before the start of the tournament she pledged to donate prize to the Ukrainian army. Svitolina defeated Anastasia Potapova and Viktoriya Tomova, before suffering a surprise loss to Camila Osorio in the Monterrey quarterfinal.
“I was on a mission for my country,” Svitolina reflected, per Tennis Majors. “I’m in a very sad mood, but I’m happy I’m here playing tennis. “I think it’s my mission to unite our tennis community to stand with Ukraine, to help Ukraine because what we’re going through is a horrible thing for all Ukrainians.
“That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m playing for my country and doing my best to use my platform to try to invite people to support Ukraine”.
Svitolina on her decision to donate her prize money
“For me, playing the match here, I’m not playing only for myself, I’m playing for my country, I’m playing for the help of the Ukrainian army and people in need.
Every victory that I’m going to get is going to be very special," Svitolina explained. Svitolina appeared to be cruising toward a three-set as she was up by a double-break in the third set. After falling down 4-1 in the third set, Osorio refused to quit as she managed to force a tie-break.
Svitolina had an early 3-0 lead in the tie-break but Osorio won seven of the next nine points to overturn the deficit and stun the Ukrainian. "I never gave up in any moment," Osorio said on court after beating Svitolina. "I was 6-1 down, and I just kept fighting, and I kept grinding point by point. I'm really proud of that."