A fan on Center Court held a Ukrainian flag. Another shouted, “We love you, Elina.” The Ukrainian ambassador was also there, cheering with fans from Britain, the United States, Uganda, Bulgaria and beyond, for Elina Svitolina, the unsung sentimental champion of Wimbledon 2023.
But eventually, the pressure of carrying the hopes of his home country and the Wimbledon Nation wears him down. Despite the crowd’s attempts to lift her spirits, Svitolina was unable to overcome Marketa Vondrousova, the 42nd-ranked player in the world, who beat her in straight sets on Thursday, leaving a gaping hole in the tournament.
“A lot of responsibility, a lot of tension,” Svitolina admitted after the match. “I try to balance it as much as I can. But, yes, sometimes it becomes too much.
Svitolina, who has been a flag-bearer for Ukraine and for new mothers around the world, plans to leave Britain on Friday to be reunited with her daughter and family. But reinvigorated by his Wimbledon success, he will continue through the summer and beyond, paying more attention to his twin causes.
“What she is doing is beautiful in so many ways,” said Phuma Yeni, a social care worker from London. “Everyone is rooting for him because he’s so brave.”
During his semifinal loss, fans atop Henman Hill, the mound next to Court 1 where fans gather to watch matches on a giant video screen, went almost silent. They cheered and cheered as Svitolina did well, but it became clear early on that she was in for a desperate fight, and a gloomy cloud of darkness descended on the grand tennis campus.
“It’s very sad,” said Valia Ivanova, a civil servant and tennis fan from London, via Bulgaria, who usually supports Novak Djokovic. “He has a great story, and everyone wants him to win. Now, you will hear, just quietly.”
Svitolina has become a beacon for many people in her country and even more so for her outspoken support of Ukraine’s efforts to resist Russian aggression. He used his celebrity, organizing tennis events and other activities to raise money for relief efforts, and made public declarations opposing the invasion. He also drew attention to the cause by refusing to shake hands — as is customary after every match — with players from Russia and Belarus. The latter country provided support for the invasion.
Svitolina said she felt the support from the fans throughout her six matches here, and she thanked the tennis fans who came to watch her in person and the millions of others watching on television from her own people and the whole world. He specifically thanked the British people and government for their steadfast support to Ukraine since the 2022 invasion, providing both military aid and sanctuary for refugees.
“I’m really grateful to the crowd that supported me, was there for me, and all the Ukrainians as well,” Svitolina said. “They support us a lot in different ways, for many Ukrainians who came here when the war started. Really grateful to all the people who support us on different levels.”
Wimbledon, which banned Russian and Belarusian players from participating last year, relented this year and allowed them to play, but it did not recognize the countries they represented. Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s ambassador, watched Svitolina play from the Royal Box on Thursday, and didn’t find out until her postmatch news conference.
Since the start of the tournament, the All England Club has provided tickets, transport and food to over 1,000 Ukrainian refugees. The club is likely to do so even though Svitolina has yet to advance to a semifinal, but her success shed light on the circumstances.
“He was the story of the tournament,” said Sarah Sserwanga, a tennis fan from London who watched the match with her daughter Zoe. “Everything he does is inspiring.”
Many fans were also inspired by Svitolina’s ability to play well as a new mother. In October, she gave birth to a baby girl, Skai, and returned to the tennis tour in April. Her husband, professional tennis player Gaël Monfils, was at home with the baby, along with both the couple’s mothers. Svitolina is almost working alone here to attract and entice fans.
Sserwanga, an executive, has two children, and was able to take six months off to care for them after each was born. Then it’s back to work. He tried to imagine the challenges Svitolina faced in returning so soon and leaving her baby behind during her extended run here.
“Your body can change, your emotions cycle, and you never know what’s coming next sometimes,” says Sserwanga. “To have all that, along with playing for your country as he is, it’s amazing. Just amazing.”
Over the next few weeks, on hardcourts across North America, heading into the US Open, Svitolina will try to build on her success and perhaps convert it into her first final at a Grand Slam event.
Before that, he was looking forward to the one thing he knew would make him happy: seeing his son again. As tears welled up in his eyes during his painful postmatch news conference, a smile broke through.
“That’s going to be the best part,” he said.