Ukrainian tennis stars Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk are making headlines not only for their remarkable performances on the court but also for their powerful statements against the ongoing war with Russia. Their recent back-to-back victories in the WTA 1000 tournaments serve as poignant tributes to their war-torn homeland.

Svitolina's triumph at the Italian Open over the weekend followed Kostyuk's victory at the Madrid Open just two weeks earlier. Svitolina dedicated her win to "all the people back in Ukraine who’ve been supporting me, been watching at nights being in the bomb shelters." Her emotional address came shortly after a devastating missile strike in Kyiv that killed 24 people, including teenagers. "It’s been really heavy for the past couple of weeks for Ukraine... I feel all the love. Thank you. Slava Ukraini!" she declared.

Kostyuk, who also expressed her support for Ukraine during her victory speech, has achieved significant success, including her biggest career win in Madrid and a previous title in Rouen, France. Despite health issues that forced her to withdraw from the Italian Open, she is heading to Roland Garros on an 11-match winning streak.

Svitolina, having made a remarkable comeback after a maternity break, now ranks No. 7 in the world and No. 3 in the season-long race rankings. She faced tough competition, defeating three reigning Grand Slam champions consecutively to claim the Italian Open title. "This is one of the toughest draws that I had in a tournament," she noted.

Both players lead a group of seven Ukrainians in the top 100 rankings, with Svitolina emphasizing their role as an inspiration for younger generations in Ukraine. The ongoing protocol for Ukrainian players, refusing to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents, remains intact, highlighting the ongoing tensions.

Off the court, Svitolina's husband, Gael Monfils, is set to retire after Roland Garros, marking a special moment for their family. "It’s going to be very, very busy, but in the same way I think very special for us as a family and of course for him personally," she reflected.