Elina Svitolina’s magical Wimbledon run was always about more than just tennis.
But after her tournament came to an abrupt end on Thursday, she decided one question had gone a bit too far.
Following Svitolina’s semifinal loss to the Czech Marketa Vondrousova, one journalist prodded the Ukrainian underdog about the possibility of Aryna Sabalenka, a Belarusian player in the other semifinal, winning the tournament.
“How bad would it look, symbolically, if the Princess of Wales ends up giving the trophy to a Belarusian?” the journalist asked, referencing the tradition in which Princess Kate Middleton awards the Wimbledon trophy.
“I didn’t think about this at all. Right now, I’m not in a good state of mind to reply to this question,” an understandably downtrodden Svitolina said.
Ultimately, the journalist’s prognostication did not come to pass: Sabalenka, ranked No. 2 in the world, lost in three sets in the semifinal to Tunisian Ons Jabeur.
The undercurrent of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has been a recurring theme during Svitolina’s competition at Wimbledon.
Svitolina, a vocal supporter of her home country, Ukraine, has made it known that she will not shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players, which generated controversy after her defeat of Victoria Azarenka.
After Sabalenka’s loss to Jabeur, the Belarusian said she understands that she hasn’t received much support from the crowd this tournament.
“I expect that. I knew they’d support her more. I’m fine with that. If people support my opponent, what can I do? I know there’s a lot of people watching on TV supporting me. I have my family and team, that’s enough for me,” Sabalenka said.
Svitolina, competing in her second Wimbledon semifinal, took down four different women who had won Grand Slams this tournament: Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Azarenka and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
The Ukrainian, who returned to the tour after giving birth nine months ago, broke down in tears when she was asked about her country’s support of her.
“It’s unbelievable that they’ve been there with me all the way,” she said. “Hopefully they continue.”