Elina Svitolina calls on Russian, Belarusian players to speak out about war on Ukraine

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Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina is continuing to demand that athletes from Russia and Belarus go public with their stance on the war in her home country or face further isolation from the sports world. 

Svitolina, who announced in March she would be taking some time away from tennis because of lingering back pain and the emotional stress caused by Russian attacks on Ukraine, told The Associated Press Wednesday that Ukrainian players "want to feel safe" in knowing if their opponents support or oppose the ongoing attacks in Ukraine. 

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"For us, for Ukrainians, it's very important that they speak out, that they choose which side they take. We want to know, we want to feel safe about that. Because if they don't say their opinion on this, we don't know if they support their government, if they support the action of the army," Svitolina explained. "Because in Russia and Belarus sport is a big propaganda."

In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, Elina Svitolina, Ukraine, returns a shot to Serena Williams during the semifinals of the U.S. Open in New York.  (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

Wimbledon organizers announced in April a decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year’s tournament amid Russia’s "unprecedented military aggression" against Ukraine and its people. The All England Club previously said in March that it was having discussions with the British government about whether to issue a ban similar to other international sports governing bodies. 

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"I feel like they need to speak up