(July 11, 2023) As her country is in a war with Russia, Elina Svitolina is bidding to become the fourth mother to win Wimbledon. The woman from the Ukraine upset No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2 on Tuesday. Svitolina, playing with a wild card, gave birth to her daughter Skaï, just this past October. Her husband tennis player Gael Monfils is not in London, but back home taking care of the baby.

“War made me stronger and also made me mentally stronger. Mentally, I don’t take difficult situations as, like, a disaster, you know? There are worse things in life. I’m just more calmer,” said Svitolina, once ranked 3 in the world.

“Of course, I want to win. I have this motivation, like huge motivation, to come back to the top. But I think having a child — and war — made me a different person. I look at the things a bit differently.”

“It’s less years that I have in front than behind me. I have to go for it. I don’t have time to lose anymore. I don’t know how many years I will be playing,” Svitolina said about reach the semifinals. “You practice for these moments, for these big moments.”

Novak Djokovic reached his 46th major semifinal when he beat No. 7 Andrey Rublev 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3. He is now tied with Roger Federer in major semifinal appearances.the Serbian is seeking his 8th Wimbledon title as well as his 24th major. He is the all-time major leader for men with 23.