Elina Svitolina visited the Charter brigade’s base in Kharkiv in December (Image: Instagram @elisvitolina)
Elina Svitolina has revealed that she would be willing to “go to war” for . The world No. 23 has used her platform to raise money and awareness for her country since the war broke out almost three years ago.
At the end of last year, the two-time semi-finalist learned how to use a rocket launcher during a trip home to in the off-season. And the 30-year-old has now confirmed she would fight for her country if needed.
Since 2022, Svitolina has continued to raise money for and maintained awareness of their fight with . The 17-time title winner is also an ambassador for United24, the government-run platform launched by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to raise funds for ’s fight.
The former world No. 3 has often credited her Ukrainian fighting spirit with helping her dig deep and win tough matches on the court. And Svitolina has admitted she would be willing to take that fight to the battlefield.
In a recent interview with , the 30-year-old was asked directly if she would go to war. “I would go, for sure,” she replied.
“I know I’m not in that situation now because I have my family. I’m also probably more useful collecting money than I was on the front line.
Elina Svitolina is currently competing in Indian Wells, where she’s through to the round of 16 (Image: Getty)
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“I’ve raised more than 1.5 million euros for my country in the last three years. I think that’s more useful than giving me a gun.
“But many soldiers had no training at the start of the war, they just took their guns and tried to defend their home and their city.”
Svitolina has already donned a military uniform and learned to use a weapon. The world No. 23 raises money for the Charter combat brigade, helping them buy drones, and she got to visit their Kharkiv base during the off-season.
When Svitolina lifted the title in Strasbourg in 2023, she immediately donated her money to Charter, who used the funds to buy weapons.
During her visit to their training ground in December, the former WTA Finals champion was pictured learning to use a rocket launcher. And Svitolina says she’s always happy to support those on the front line.
She added: “When I go to the training ground, I always have the will to do that. My spirit is a fighting spirit. I think you can see that on the court.
“Yes, it’s very different from being on the front line. But at the same time, I feel like I’m there. Something opens up inside me that you don’t know. A lot of soldiers have that. I talk to a lot of them.
“When they go to the front line, they start fighting for the country. When they’re wounded, they recover and then keep fighting.
“When you have a mission, when you have a goal for your country, you don’t see anything that will destroy you. Nothing that could happen to you. You just go there. I think that’s a soldier’s mentality.”
Svitolina is currently competing in Indian Wells, where she is through to the last 16. After winning her match on Sunday, she thanked “friends in the USA” for showing “kindness and solidarity” during a dark time.