Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Elina Svitolina says it is her mission to unite the tennis community behind her country after beating Russian Anastasia Potapova in the first round of the Monterrey Open.
Svitolina wore the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag.
The player initially refused to play the match until the players were allowed to compete as neutral athletes.
The world number 15 said that he was on a mission for his country.
I'm sad but I'm happy I'm playing tennis.
I think it is my duty to unite our tennis community so that we can help Ukraine because it is a horrible thing for all Ukrainians.
That's why I'm here. I'm playing for my country and trying to use my platform to invite people to support it.
Svitolina will face Tomova in Mexico.
The former world number three, who is the top seed at the Monterrey Open, is donating her prize money to the Ukrainian army.
She said that she was playing to help the Ukrainian army and people in need.
The International Tennis Federation suspended the Russian Tennis Federation and the Belarus Tennis Federation from international team competition after Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine.
The combined event that was to take place in Moscow in October has been suspended.
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