Emotional Swiatek voices support for Ukraine after Doha title win. Watch

Newly crowned Qatar Open champion Iga Swiatek voiced her support to the people of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, saying she found it difficult to picture a conflict “in the country next to me”.

Swiatek’s comment came after her 6-2 6-0 victory against fourth seed Anett Kontaveit in 64 minutes on Saturday.

“I want to show my support to all the people who are suffering in Ukraine. Seeing those images is really emotional for me. I wouldn’t even imagine stuff happening like that in the country next to me. I hope in the end it will be more safe. I also hope that even though this is a small event, looking at all the problems we have in the world, the sport is going to connect,” she said.

“Even though we have many things dividing us, the sport is going to connect us, it’s going to bring us joy. Thank you all for coming tonight. I hope the Ukrainian people are going to be home.”

A second-tier ATP Challenger event, which was scheduled to start from February 28 in Moscow, has been scrapped.