Kim Clijsters' incredible act for displaced Ukrainian tennis players

Belgian tennis icon Kim Clijsters has responded to Ukrainian cries for help, with a classy and selfless gesture on social media.

With large swathes of Ukraine ravaged by the bloody war being waged by Russia, many civilians have been left displaced by the bloodshed.

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Clijsters was quick to reply after Russian-born Aussie tennis star Daria Saville took to Twitter to share a screenshot of a Ukrainian mother’s plea for assistance.

The message came from a mother named Iryna, who daughter is Ukrainian junior tennis player Mariia Glagola.

Noticing Iryna's plea for help, Saville took it upon herself to share the situation on social media, posting: “Tennis world can you spread this please".

The message from Iryna touched on the attacks by the Russians which have left her parts of homeland torn to shreds.

She also appealed for temporary accommodation and facilities being provided for her daughter and other Ukrainian tennis players, posting: “Please save our children".

Mariia fled Ukraine nearly a week ago at the beginning of Russia's invasion, although her current whereabouts is unknown.

However, in a generous act of selflessness, Clijsters responded to the post Saville shared by offering refuge to any displaced tennis stars at her academy in Belgium.

“They can come to my hometown In Belgium, where my academy is!” Clijsters responded.

Tennis world unites in support of Ukraine

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sparked widespread reaction in the sports world, with athletes condemning Moscow's actions while calls increase for the country to be isolated from international competition.

Russian-born Saville, whose brother and mother still live in Moscow, also condemned president Putin and pledged to wear blue and yellow in support for Ukraine at the upcoming Indian Wells tournament.

"Silence in the current situation is equal to complicity. Putin, stop the war. Army, come home!" Saville posted on Twitter.

Ukrainian tennis star Dayana Yastremska and her younger sister were last week forced to flee their hometown Odessa after the city was bombed by Russian forces during President Putin's invasion.

The images of the two sisters posted to social media made headlines around the world, with Yastremska dedicating each and every one of her victories to her parents and her country.

The 21-year-old's fairytale run at the WTA event in Lyon had captured the hearts and minds of fans around the world, with Yastremska overcoming enormous adversity to win through all the way to the final.

In a sad twist though, Yastremska was defeated by China's Zhang Shuai 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the Lyon decider.

Fellow Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina - a quarter-final loser at the Monterrey Open - pledged to donate her prizemoney to help her compatriots in the fight against Russia.

Russian men's World No.1 Daniil Medvedev and compatriot Karen Khachanov have both removed the national flag from their respective social media accounts, in the latest move to distance themselves from President Putin's bloody war.

with agencies

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