‘We should all support Ukrainians’ – Swiatek speaks out again in Doha trophy ceremony

When Iga Swiatek took to her seat after defeating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-0, naturally her thoughts turned to this time last year, when she won the Doha crown for the first time.

She was not, however, just thinking about herself, but about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She took the opportunity then to speak out about it, expressing her support for Ukrainians, and since then has been one of tennis’s loudest voices to take a stance on the ongoing war. She has not just spoken about it, but organised fundraising events for the Ukrainian people, and after her second consecutive triumph in Doha, the 21-year-old again proved herself one of the sport’s most admirable leaders.

Read also

Swiatek on business and bold choices: “I want to use my impact well in a way that is healthy for me”

Tennis Majors

“When I sat there I had a throwback to last year – that was the first tournament that I had a chance to make a speech when the war started in Ukraine,” she said during the trophy ceremony.

“I feel like we have pretty short memories. We should all support Ukrainians with everything they are coping with every day. It’s disappointing this situation is not changing, but hopefully they will stay strong.”

Her words were met with applause by the crowd, who may not have been able to see that she continues to wear a small loop of yellow and blue ribbon pinned to her ever-present baseball cap.

You might also like this

Swiatek wins Doha title – dropping just five games all week

tennis majors

Swiatek on business and bold choices: “I want to use my impact well in a way that is healthy for me”

tennis majors

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Players united in calls for peace – updated with governing bodies’ statement, Svitolina latest, official calls for Medvedev ban

tennis majors

‘We should all support Ukrainians’ – Swiatek speaks out again in Doha trophy ceremony

tennis majors