WTA Doha: Concern for Ukraine - Iga Swiatek close to tears during title speech
Tournament winner Iga Swiatek spoke about the war in Ukraine in the victory speech at the WTA Tour 1000 tournament in Doha and clearly showed emotions.
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit:
Feb 26, 2022, 07:54 pm
These are difficult times for the world, for Europe and especially for Ukraine. It is not yet possible to really estimate what the consequences of the war in the Eastern European country will be for the population of 44 million. In any case, thousands of innocent deaths must be expected in the conflict.
The Pole Iga Swiatek obviously went through a rollercoaster ride of emotions during her victory speech at the WTA Tour 1000 event in Doha. A few minutes earlier, the 20-year-old had celebrated one of her greatest successes so far on the women's tour and clinched the second 1000m title of her young career in the capital of Qatar.
"Sport can unite us"
The ambivalence of her emotional world became tangible towards the end of her victory monologue when she thought of the tormented population in the crisis area: "Finally, I would like to express my support for the suffering people in Ukraine. Seeing these pictures is really emotional for me. I I could never have imagined that something like this could happen in a neighboring country."
"I hope that in the end everyone can get to safety. I also hope that, although this is only a small event in view of the global political situation, sport will have a uniting effect. Despite everything that may separate us, sport can bring us together Connect sport and bring us joy." Around one and a half million Ukrainians live in Poland, and many families are closely linked across national borders.