THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 3, 2023

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

E. SVITOLINA/V. Williams

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: What are your thoughts on today's match.

ELINA SVITOLINA: It was a special day for me today to play on Centre Court. I mean, couldn't be more special to play also against such a great champion as Venus is. Just really happy I could get a first win on Centre Court for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I have read a lot about you. Every day is a heavy day. That's one of the things I read. Can you tell us something about that.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, it's been, when I wake up, I always check news. Every moment that I'm not on the court I'm checking how my family is doing, how the situation is in Ukraine, monitoring all the time what is happening and how me and my foundation, the team around me, how we can help in that particular moment for some kids, for my family, for friends, for anyone.

So this is pretty much the life that I have now on the day-to-day basis.

Q. Do you sometimes think, well, as an athlete you could have done much better, I think, right? In that case, if you're always worrying, that must be...

ELINA SVITOLINA: I don't think about that at all. I don't know. Maybe, yeah, I could have, maybe I could have not, and I don't know.

This in many ways motivates me as well to go out there, to play, to practice, you know. People are having horrible times in Ukraine right now, and for me is no excuses to complain, because I have an amazing, an amazing life, I cannot complain.

This in many ways motivates me to go and practice and train and be better every day.

Q. You talked on Saturday about expressing some disappointment that Wimbledon was allowing Russian and Belarusian players this year. What difference do you think that's made on day one? Do you feel it at all? Do you feel either more support from fans or anything else? Any noticeable difference?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, I feel the support, a lot of support from the people in England, and a lot of people express their support to me and to Ukrainians as well.

Other than that, I don't know, because I didn't compete last year here. So yeah, I cannot say more.

Q. How often do you speak with people at home?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Every day, pretty much.

Q. Every day?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah. Yeah, with my grandmother I speak pretty much every day. My dad was there, as well in Ukraine, so yeah, chat with him and speak when I can get a moment, always checking on them.

Q. Your grandmother is there and your dad is traveling?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, goes back and forward. My grandmother always stays there. She's over 85 years old, so it's difficult for her to travel. Yeah, her health is not good enough to go out of Ukraine.

Q. It is her country.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, for sure. For sure. She loves home. Yeah, it would be impossible for her to leave the city even.

Q. On the match today, what did you say, what were you thinking when Venus Williams fell down so early in the match? It looked pretty bad at that point.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, because she screamed really loud, as well. I was shaken up. Yeah, I was really shocked in a way, because I thought it was really, really serious. So I was really happy for her actually that she could stand up after and didn't take a medical timeout. She just was checking how the knee is. And then we continue playing.

I was really happy, because it's such a horrible injury, the knee injury. Any injury is bad, but, you know, she screamed really loud. So I really got scared.

Q. I guess it's better to win the way you did than have her have to bow out because of an injury.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, for sure. She tried, and the champion she is, she fought, she gave her everything. Yeah, just amazing champion she is.