’Two different realities,’ says Ukraine tennis captain Savchuk

PARIS: Ukraine’s national tennis team say they are existing “in two different realities” as they prepare for a Billie Jean King Cup clash in the United States this weekend while war rages at home. The Ukraine squad are in the South Carolina city of Asheville to tackle the record 18-time champions with a place in the finals at stake. However, the brutal fighting 5,000 miles away in Europe remains in the forefront of their minds.

“It’s like living in two different realities,” said team captain and former WTA player Olga Savchuk. “I can sit here and drink tea while my grandfather and aunt are in a bomb shelter.” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is grinding toward the beginning of its third month and with Moscow’s military advance and negotiations largely stalled there seems no immediate end to the fighting. Thousands have died while millions of people have fled the country.

“At first, we felt guilty because we were not there and now — and it sounds scary — you kinda get used to it, checking your family are OK and checking the news.” Ukraine player, Katarina Zavatska said she is grateful that her mother and grandmother are safe and staying in her apartment in France where she trains. However, her father, a five-year-old niece and a pregnant cousin are still in her home city of Lutsk in Ukraine’s north-west. “It kills you, the worry,” said the 22-year-old.

“But if I don’t do something, I feel like I am dying. So just playing tennis helps me feel OK. “Day by day, on a tennis court is the only place where I can live my life.” The court for the Friday-Saturday tie in Asheville will boast a ribbon in the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine painted on the court.