Newly-crowned French Open women's champion Iga Swiatek urged Ukraine on Saturday to “stay strong” following the invasion by Russia.
Minutes after she had crushed American Coco Gauff 6-1 6-3, the Polish top seed, who played the entire tournament with a ribbon in the Ukrainian colours pinned to her cap, said: “I would like to say something to Ukraine. Stay strong, the war is still there.
Swiatek, who is on a 35-match winning run, had addressed the situation in Ukraine following her title win in Doha on February 26, two days after Russian troops had launched the invasion. “I think in general using sports as a platform is important. It's important that we mention these things. Writing something isn't going to end it ... but for me, it's about influencing the leaders that are in office and leaders around the world maybe to hear that message.”
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