Princess Kate question slapped down by Wimbledon star: 'I'm not in a good state of mind to reply to this'

Kate Middleton

Wimbledon star Elina Svitolina slapped down a question about Princess Kate during her press conference after losing in the semi-finals of the prestigious competition.

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Svar Nanan-Sen

By Svar Nanan-Sen


Published: 14/07/2023

- 09:37

Updated: 14/07/2023

- 09:59

Elina Svitolina suffered defeat in her semi-final contest against Marketa Vondroušová

Wimbledon star Elina Svitolina slapped down a question about Princess Kate during her press conference after losing in the semi-finals of the prestigious competition.

Svitolina was beaten by Marketa Vondroušová 6-3 6-3 to end her remarkable run in the tournament.


The Ukrainian athlete has refused to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players in previous tournaments and at Wimbledon this year.

The Princess of Wales has been patron of the All England Club since 2016 and as part of her role presents the trophies to each of the winners at the end of the tournament.

Elina Svitolina

Svitolina was asked how she felt about the prospect of Princess Kate potentially awarding the trophy to a citizen of a country currently allied with Russia in their war against Ukraine.

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Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka competed in the other semi-final on Thursday.

Svitolina was asked how she felt about the prospect of Princess Kate potentially awarding the iconic Venus Rosewater Dish to a citizen of a country currently allied with Russia in their war against Ukraine.

She said: "I didn’t think about this at all.

"Right now, I’m not in a good state of mind to reply to this question."

Svitolina added: "I will not be here. Yeah, I’m just upset that I’m not playing and not taking that trophy from (the Princess of Wales)."

However, Princess Kate will not present the trophy to Sabalenka as she was defeated by Ons Jabeur in the other semi-final 6-7 6-4 6-3.

Last year, the Princess of Wales was put in an awkward position as a Russian-born athlete won the Wimbledon Women's final.

Elena Rybakina defeated Ons Jabeur 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the final and Kate presented the tennis star with the Wimbledon trophy.

Kate Middleton and Rybakina

Kate presented the tennis star with the Wimbledon trophy in 2022.

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Rybakina was born in Moscow but has represented Kazakstan since switching her nationality from Russia in 2018.

Russian athletes were banned from Wimbledon as a result of Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Wimbledon's decision to ban Russian athletes resulted in the major losing its ability to give players ranking points.

Rybakina became Kazakhstan's first player to win a major singles trophy.

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