Wildcard Elina Svitolina says she will celebrate her stunning Wimbledon quarter-final win over world No.1 Iga Swiatek by drinking a beer.
Svitolina, 28, has been on a resurgence this year after making her return to women’s tennis following the birth of her child less than a year ago.
The world No.76 was handed a wildcard for this year’s Championships and after beating the legendary Venus Williams, Svitolina knocked out 28th-seed Elise Mertens and 19th-seed Victoria Azarenka en route to the last eight.
Her fairytale run continued on Tuesday with a sensational 7-6 6-7 6-2 win over top-seed Swiatek and she will next face Czech world No.42 Marketa Vondrousova.
Asked how she will prepare for that semi-final showdown, Svitolina said: ‘First of all I’m going to have a beer, probably!
‘I’m going to enjoy it with my team. At the beginning of the tournament, if you told me I was going to be in the semi-final, beat the world No.1, I would say you are crazy.
I’m just going to enjoy tonight and then get some treatments, a massage – much needed! And then just regroup and be ready for the next battle.’
Svitolina also paid an emotional tribute to Polish star Swiatek, who has been vocal in her support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
‘Iga is not only a great champion, she is an unbelievable person,’ Swiatek added. ‘She was one of the first ones who really helped Ukrainian people and you know, it was a huge help for Ukraine.
‘For sure it is not easy to play against someone that you share a lot of good moments… I think for her as well it was not easy. But in the end I am really proud and thanks so much [to the crowd] for cheering for me all the way.’
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