Elina Svitolina Raises The Roof On Centre Court At Wimbledon
Wimbledon
July 11, 2023
Elina Svitolina created the story so many wanted at Wimbledon 2023.
A Ukrainian woman who had a baby as recently as last October is in the Wimbledon semi-finals!
Not only that. She beat the world number one with some swashbuckling tennis – and her wonderful 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 victory was thoroughly deserved.
The defeated Iga Swiatek is a good friend to the Ukrainian cause – and to Elina personally, as the gracious winner so readily acknowledged.
But someone had to lose on Centre Court – and it’s wildcard Elina who is now the darling of the Wimbledon crowd.
Elina Svitolina is within touching distance of the Wimbledon 2023 final.
And she didn’t disappoint with her post-match remarks. Svitolina explained: ‘It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’m going to enjoy this with my team. First of all, I’m going to have a beer.
‘At the beginning of the tournament, if somebody would tell me that I will be in the semi-final, and beating the world number one, I would say they are crazy.’
Now she must beat Marketa Vondrousova, the dangerous, unseeded Czech, if she wants to reach the showpiece on Saturday.
Vondrousova came through to defeat the popular American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, showing superior nerve and desire on the big points.
And it wasn’t all plain sailing for Novak Djokovic either, as he dropped the first set against Andrey Rublev before racing to glory 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.
Djokovic is through to his 46th Grand Slam semi-final – a record only the great Roger Federer can rival.
But Novak said: ‘They’re just numbers, I don’t like to think about statistics during an active tournament. I’m thinking about directing my energies to the next match, because it’s only going to get tougher.
‘Hopefully I can bring a great level to the next match and win again in a couple of days time.’
Novak will need to beat Jannik Sinner to reach the Wimbledon 2023 final. He said of his younger rivals. ‘They want to win and they want to get a scalp but it ain’t happening.’
That’s a warning for everyone. And Djokovic showed great appreciation for the Wimbledon crowd when he added: ‘Thank you for making the atmosphere so special on Centre Court. Andrey brings so much intensity and I congratulate him for a great match today.’
Elina Svitolina and Novak Djokovic wowed the Centre Court crowds more than anyone else on the second Tuesday at Wimbledon 2023, though.
And the drama is only going to increase from here. Will you be coming to Wimbledon 2023 before it’s too late?