Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina refuses to play Russian opponent

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Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina took a stand on Monday.

Svitolina was set to take on Russian Anastasia Potapova at the Monterrey Open on Tuesday but vowed she wouldn’t take the court unless the sport’s governing bodies took action against Russia over its invasion of her home country.

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Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in action against Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic during her first round match at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex on Feb. 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

"We Ukrainian players requested to ATP, WTA and ITF to follow the recommendations of the IOC to accept Russian or Belarusian nationals only as neutral athletes, without displaying any national symbols, colors, flags or anthems," Svitolina said in a statement on Instagram.

"Accordingly, I want to announce that I will not play tomorrow in Monterrey, nor any other match against Russian or Belarussian tennis players until our organizations take this necessary decision.

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"I do not blame any of the Russian athletes. They are not responsible for the invasion of our motherland.

Belarus' Victoria Azarenka celebrates winning her third-round match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina on Jan. 21, 2022, at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia. (REUTERS/Morgan Sette)

"Moreover, I wish to pay tribute to all the players, especially Russians and Belarusians, who bravely stated their position against the war. Their support is essential."

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Potapova responded to Svitolina's