Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko will attend a charity tennis match organised by Iga Świątek. The world number one announced the news on Instagram, revealing she had been organising the event for “months”.
The exhibition match will be held at the Tauron Arena in Kraków on July 23rd. “For months I have been working with my team on a charity initiative for Ukraine to support those who suffer because of the war,” she wrote. “Together with Agnieszka Radwańska, Elina Svitolina, Sergiy Stakhovsky and Martyn Pawelski, we will meet in Krakow on 23rd July during a special event. “We will play a mixed doubles exhibition match.
Additionally, Agnieszka and I will play one set of singles. Both matches will be umpired by Elina Svitolina. There will also be a special guest representing Ukraine – former football player Andriy Shevchenko. “Total proceeds from the event will be donated to the support of children and teenagers affected by the war in Ukraine.” A post shared by Iga Świątek (@iga.swiatek) Świątek said she was “so happy and grateful” to be holding the event, and hoped it would “show the strength of sport when it unites us in helping, and gives us at least a little joy.” The Polish star, who is currently playing at Wimbledon, has previously spoken out in support of Ukraine, which was invaded by Russian forces in February.
Ukrainian players have continued to play on the WTA Tour, but Svitolina, the current world number 40, has taken a break from tennis to focus her efforts on raising funds for her country.