Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has shown her thoughts remain with her homeland even while winning her round-of-32 match at the Monterrey Open in Mexico.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continued, the emotions were never far from the surface as the number one seed went ahead with her match against Russia's Anastasia Potapova.
And in France, fresh from fleeing Ukraine as a refugee, Dayana Yastremska broke down in tears after her win over Ana Bogdan at the WTA event in Lyon.
Svitolina had made headlines when she announced she would boycott any matches against Russian players at the tournament in Monterrey, Mexico, until the WTA took action in line with recommendations by the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC had called on sports to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials over the invasion of Ukraine.
Svitolina said she would not play until the WTA allowed Russian and Belarusian players to play only as neutrals, without any national symbols, flags or anthems.
"I do not blame any of the Russian athletes," she said.
"They are not responsible for the invasion of our motherland."
The WTA and ATP today acted, saying Russian and Belarusian players could continue to compete in international events and the grand slams, but not under the name or flag of their nations.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) also cancelled all events in Russia and Belarus and suspended Russian federations from playing international team tennis until further notice.
Following the action, Svitolina played against Anastasia Potopova.
Wearing a tennis outfit in the yellow and blue colours of Ukraine, Svitolina came out in strong form and never relented.
She broke Potopova's serve five times on the way to a 6-2, 6-1 win in one hour and four minutes.
She celebrated victory by striding toward the net, thumping her chest in celebration and in honour of her country.
She shook hands briefly at the net with Potopova before leaving the court.
Yastremska and her sister Ivanna woke up last Thursday to bombs landing in their country.
Like many in Ukraine, they and their family headed to underground shelters to try to remain safe.
Dayana posted on Instagram last week that after sheltering for two days, her parents decided to send her and her sister out of the country "at all costs".
"Mom, Dad ,we love you very much, take care of yourself!!!" she posted.
"I love you my country! Ukrainians take care of your lives."
On getting to France, she and her sister lost a doubles match, but this morning Dayana faced Romanian Ana Bogdan in singles.
She lost the first set, but fought back — after saving two match points — to win over Bogdan in three sets and three hours and five minutes, 3-6, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (9/7).
When Bogdan missed a return to end the match, the 21-year-old Yastremska fell to the ground and began to cry.
"I'm happy that I won for my country, but at the same time I'm very sad," Yastremska said on court afterwards, holding the Ukrainian flag around her shoulders.
"This win, compared to what's going on in my country, is nothing.
"But I'm happy, at least, I'm also fighting for my country.
