Author: Admin

The Ukrainian is playing for her family, with a heavy heart, at Wimbledon. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday, June 27, 2022

Much talk has been made about Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players, and the conversation has sometimes overshadowed what the Ukrainian players have had to go through since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

After her first-round victory over Anna Bondar at Wimbledon on Monday, Anhelina Kalinina shed some light on what the situation has been for her and her family – and it is harrowing.

“First of all, their house was attacked,” she said. “There are huge holes in the house, like huge holes. There are no apartments anymore.

“So now this home is getting rebuilt, so they can't live there. So they live in my apartment where I'm living with my husband. It's a very small apartment for my family, because, like, my mom, my dad, my brother, and they have pets. So they are so happy and we are grateful that they can move, you know, that they have place to move from Irpin city because Irpin city, everyone knows how Bucha, Irpin, is fully bombed.

“Currently, they are rebuilding the house. Now they are at home safe. They have everything. Yes, I'm grateful that they have opportunities to live, and I am playing tennis. So that's good.”

YES! Tough first match but glad to be qualified for the 2nd round! 💪😁 #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/G1KhdbyZsC

— Anhelina Kalinina (@angie_kalinina) June 27, 2022

Kalinina, the No.29 seed at Wimbledon, has put together a strong season on tour under the most difficult circumstances. She is 18-12 and playing at a career-high ranking of No.34. She is also seeded at a Slam for the first time.

While talking to reporters after her maiden Wimbledon win she revealed her motivations. She says that providing financial assistance to family and friends back home is most important to her.

“I'm helping a lot to my family,” she said. “I'm helping a lot to my grandmother and grandfather who is in occupied territory now. They can't leave. So next door is like Russian soldiers with all their military stuff."

Kalinina explained the link between her tennis and her family's survival – as well as the survival of others inside Ukraine. She's proud and invigorated that she can play a role.

Not an ideal situation, but like so many from Ukraine, she's making the best of it.

"I understand it's hard to focus, but for me it matters if I win or if I lose. Because more I win, of course I've got currently money. I'm not only helping my family, I'm helping other families and other people. It's not a pressure, it's a privilege to play here. It's a privilege to play every tournament, and to get the quality of the game means better events. You go further. You earn more money.

"Then I'm able to help, and I'm helping as much as I can and not only to my family. So for me that matters."

World No. 2 Ons Jabeur shares one main goal.
Ons Jabeur handed Iga Swiatek her last Wimbledon loss.

The second-ranked Jabeur aim to match world No. 1 Swiatek's lofty level of play and someday succeed the Pole as world No.

Onwards: Jabeur Passes First Test

Empowered by memories of her Roland Garros first-round loss to Magda Linette last month, Jabeur dismantled 125th-ranked Mirjam Borkland 6-1, 6-3 in a confident Wimbledon first rounder that spanned just 54 minutes on No. 1 court today.

"I learned a lot from the first round in Roland Garros. Obviously everything feels different here," Jabeur told the media at Wimbledon. "I feel like more ready. Starting Monday not Sunday is much better for me. Let's say I opened the Court 1, and it was great.

"I enjoy playing a lot on grass. Scheduling, playing few matches, just get the perfect amount of playing on grass was great.

"Plus, you know, gaining more confidence playing along Serena also helped me with the great attitude on the court. Kind of start to be a leader on the court. That's what I'm trying to do. Trying to have that attitude."

An assertive attitude has seen the Tunisian trailblazer bounce back from a disappointing dirt season end to embracing the grass. Jabeur, who beat Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic back to back to win Berlin, scored her sixth straight lawn win today.

The second-ranked Jabeur is striving for a first-rate goal: reach world No. 1.

"I do feel more confident. I do feel like I deserve to be in this level," said Jabeur, who knocked Swiatek out of Wimbledon last summer. "Hopefully next step will be No. 1."

To supplant the superb Swiatek, who rides a 35-match winning streak into her Wimbledon opener vs. Croatian Jana Fett on Centre Court tomorrow, Jabeur knows she must elevate her level even more.

"It's going to be tough, but not impossible. Obviously Iga is kind of a little bit far from us now. Yeah, you never know," Jabeur said. "Well, not this Grand Slam, but there is the US Open, other 1000s on tour, and hopefully the Masters. I'll try my best to catch up to her.

"Obviously if I don't do it this year, hopefully beginning of next year. But the most important thing, I want to have the level to be No. 1. I don't just want to be No. 1 like that, put a lot of pressure on myself. I mean, everybody is looking forward to win against No. 1. I want to be, like, really deserve that spot. Hopefully I can be the level that Iga is playing right now."

Photo credit: Getty