Wimbledon star sends message to Keir Starmer pleading for help after losing match

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has pleaded with the United Kingdom's new Prime Minister Keir Starmer to continue supporting her country like the previous government did. Svitolina was dumped out of Wimbledon at the quarter-final stage on Wednesday.

The world No.21 lost 6-3, 6-2 to fourth seed Elena Rybakina on Centre Court on Wednesday to end her hopes of a first ever Grand Slam triumph. Queen Camilla was on court to watch the match.

And after, Svitolina called for Labour leader Starmer - who replaced Rishi Sunak in 10 Downing Street just last week - and his party to do their all for Ukraine. She said: "I hope he's aware with the help we got before, from the government before. I hope this will continue because it's really, really important for us.

"Every day is not getting easy. It's not getting easier, it's getting really tougher and tougher for us. Hopefully the support will continue. I feel like we got unbelievable support before, and I hope this will continue really because it's super important for us."

After her previous match, beating Wang Xinyu, Svitolina broke down in tears in her on-court interview after over 20 Ukrainians were killed in a Russian missile attack on Kyiv.

One missile struck a children's hospital in the capital and Svitolina was given permission by Wimbledon to wear a black ribbon on her shirt during her match to honour those from her homeland who died.

"It's a very difficult day today for Ukrainian people," she said before a long pause. "It was not easy to focus on the match. Since the morning, it’s very difficult to read the news, just to go on the court... I'm happy I could play today and get a win."

She added in her press conference: "Incredibly sad day today for all Ukrainians. It was really difficult for me to really be here in a way and do anything. I just wanted to be in my room, just be there with my emotions, with everything.

"When you have these sad days where you don't want to do anything, it was this kind of day for me. It's difficult really to explain because of course for us Ukrainians it's very close to our heart and very sensitive topic, very sensitive emotions that we feel every single day.

"But today was one of the days where it was even more difficult because the missile landed on the hospital, the kids' hospital. Straightaway you see the images and everything that happened there. So many kids lost their lives.

"Yeah, it's extremely tough day today. Every Ukrainian is using their own way to raise awareness, to raise money, to help in every possible way they can.

"My way is through tennis. This what's really motivated me today to do something. I tried to be focused on my job, tried to be focused on what I can control. Just do what I can in a way.

"I'm playing, of course, such an amazing event as Wimbledon. I have to also think about how I can use that in a way for Ukrainian people.

"At least with my win today, it was a small light that brought a happy moment for Ukrainian people. I got so many messages today. The people are thankful for my performance, for my win today."

Svitolina still has family in Ukraine and continued: "My dad just was there for a couple of weeks to see my grandmother. I have my uncle. His family is there. I have many friends there. Pretty much everyone is based in Ukraine.

"I have contact pretty much every single day. I've been talking, yeah, on a daily basis with Sergiy Stakhovsky as well. I guess you guys know him. Also a well-known name in tennis.

"He's helping a lot with my foundation. He's my close friend. It was nice to hear from him and hear also what is really happening. To not only find out the news from the media, but also from my friends and family.

"For now I just want to raise awareness, to raise funds for people in need, to raise support for the kids through my foundation, through United24. So many ways we can help people and not only focus on the things we cannot control."