(Reuters) – Poland’s world number one Iga Swiatek has teamed up with fellow tennis players Agnieszka Radwanska, Elina Svitolina, Sergiy Stakhovsky and Martyn Pawelski for a one-day special event to raise funds for people affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Iga Swiatek & Friends for Ukraine”, scheduled for July 23 in Poland’s Krakow, will feature a mixed doubles match and a set of singles between Swiatek and compatriot Radwanska. Both matches will be umpired by Ukrainian Svitolina.
“For months I have been working with my team on a charity initiative for Ukraine to support those who suffer because of the war,” French Open champion Swiatek said in a statement https://twitter.com/iga_swiatek/status/1542100612619329536 on social median on Wednesday.
“There will also be a special guest representing Ukraine – former (Ukraine) football player Andriy Shevchenko.”
Ukraine was invaded by Russia in February in what Moscow calls a “special military operation”.
Swiatek, who is on a 36-match winning streak, has been vocal about her support for the beleaguered country, sporting a blue and yellow ribbon on her hat in recent months.
The 21-year-old beat Jana Fett 6-0 6-3 in her opening round match at Wimbledon on Tuesday and takes on Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove on Thursday.
(Reporting by Dhruv Munjal in Bengaluru)
