former world number 3 alina svitolina She will return to the WTA Tour at next month’s Charleston Open in South Carolina after accepting a wild card, organizers of the clay-court tournament said.
Ukraine’s Svitolina, who last played in Miami a year ago, is set to return following the birth of her daughter Skye with husband and fellow tennis player. Gael Monfils,
The 28-year-old has partnered with the tournament and WTA Charities to host a special “Tennis Play for Peace” Pro-Am event in April, benefiting war-torn Ukraine and the Elina Svitolina Foundation.
“Raising awareness and raising funds for Ukraine is very important to a tournament and to our players,” tournament director Bob Moran said in a statement. “We are passionate about working with Elina, who has a deep and personal understanding of the needs in her country right now, to advance the mission of Tennis Play for Peace and unite with Ukraine.”
The tournament will host a Pro-Am in 2022 and raise $100,000 for relief efforts in Ukraine.
Svitolina, who holds 16 WTA titles and is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, will be joined by five former champions in the Charleston field, including the 2022 champion. Belinda Bencicand Australian Open champion Aryan Sabalenka,
The Charleston Open will take place from April 1 to 9.