Chris evert: Wimbledon commentator breaks down in tears live on air
A "touching" moment saw one Wimbledon commentator struggle to hold back the tears live on air.
Wimbledon commentator Chris Evert failed to hold back the tears as she witnessed Elina Svitolina’s 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 emotional win over world No 1 Iga Swiatek on Tuesday. The Ukrainian despatched the current US and French Open champion to continue her stunning run at SW19 as she has captured the hearts of those at the tournament.
She is aiming to reach her first Wimbledon final and her journey has been made even more incredible having given birth to her first child in October and only returning to the tour in April. It was an emotional moment as she was embraced by Swiatek following the match as Svitolina had some very kind words for the Polish star.
The two clearly had huge respect for each other, but victory for Svitolina left Evert holding back her tears as she described her own emotions. “I think this was one of the most touching matches I’ve ever seen on Centre Court. Just with everything Elina has gone through,” Evert said live on ESPN.
“She’s very inspired. She had a baby and her husband has been so supportive of her but she’s been going through a very sad time with what’s happening back in Ukraine with her family. To see her so inspired by this and playing so well is just very touching for me.”
Emotions were running high throughout the match, as Svitolina afterwards reflected on how the war in her homeland Ukraine and becoming a mother has helped shape her. “I’m just calmer,” she said. “I think also, because I just started to play again, I have different pressures.
“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 things a bit differently.
“It was a much tougher game, I would say, because she’s a great person, she’s a big champion. She’s done so much, and is doing still so much for Ukraine. We really admire her in Ukraine. In the way when you’re playing your good buddy, it’s tough because you don’t want to see her/him losing.”
