Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina breaks down in tears over missile attack on children's hospital after reaching Wimbledon quarter-finals

Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina broke down in tears on court after advancing to the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon 2024. Her impressive win in the Round of 16 on Monday (July 8) came just hours after a Russian missile hit a children's hospital in her homeland, Kyiv.

Svitolina marked her presence in the last eight with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over 42nd-ranked Wang Xinyu. Despite being in a difficult mental state knowing about the horrifying event in her nation, the 29-year-old did not lose her game awareness as she cruised to a comfortable victory in 55 minutes.

It’s an extremely tough day today: Svitolina 

Giving an on-court interview after the match, Svitolina was teary-eyed as she recounted the tragic incident. “It’s an incredibly sad day today for all Ukrainians. It was really difficult for me to really be here in a way and do anything. I just wanted to be in my room. Just be there with my emotions. When you have these sad days you don’t want to do anything. It was this kind of day for me. It’s difficult for me to explain,” she said.

“For us Ukrainians it’s very close to our heart. It’s a sensitive topic. It’s sensitive emotions we feel every day. It was one of the days that’s even more difficult. A missile landed on the kids hospital. Straight away you see the images and what happened there. So many kids lost their lives. It’s an extremely tough day today,” the former No. 3 added.

Elina Svitolina talking through tears after her win at Wimbledon



Elina: “For sure it was a good performance from my side today. It’s a very difficult today for Ukrainian people.” 💔



*crowd erupts*



Elina: “It was not easy to focus today on the match. Since the morning it was… pic.twitter.com/hK879cTqH8

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 8, 2024

Also Read: Anna Kalinskaya in tears after pulling out of Wimbledon 2024 due to injury; Gloomy Jannik Sinner as witness in stands

According to the report, a total of 33 people were killed and 137 injured as a result of 38 missiles fired by Russia. A Russian missile barrage has hit Ukraine's largest children's hospital, leaving an unknown number trapped under the rubble. This is one of the deadliest attacks this year. 

Meanwhile, No.21 seed Svitolina will face No.4 seed Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinal. The last time the two met at Roland Garros this year, Rybakina emerged victorious by winning in straight sets.