At the end of October, the first 10 talented Ukrainian female tennis players began free professional training in Spain as part of the WhiteBIT x Svitolina Foundation Llorca Pons Tennis Residency program. The program marks the first step in a long-term initiative to develop Ukrainian tennis

Global cryptocurrency exchange WhiteBIT and Elina Svitolina's charitable foundation, Svitolina Foundation, have announced the launch of a joint social initiative, WhiteBIT x Svitolina Foundation Llorca Pons Tennis Residency — an international professional training program for talented Ukrainian tennis players aged 12 to 16.

The first group consists of 10 Ukrainian female tennis players ranked among the top 20 nationally in their respective age categories. Over nearly three months, the young athletes will undergo intensive training in Spain under the guidance of experienced international coaches, including renowned Spanish coach María José Llorca Pons.

The first training group began its program on October 26, 2026. Participation is completely free of charge, with all expenses covered by Volodymyr Nosov, founder and president of the W Group fintech ecosystem. Four groups of participants are planned annually.

Pursuing Athletic Development Despite the War

Russia's full-scale invasion has significantly affected opportunities for young Ukrainian athletes to receive professional training. Constant attacks, air raid alerts, and power outages make regular training and preparation for international competitions increasingly difficult.

At the initiative of Volodymyr Nosov, WhiteBIT has therefore taken responsibility for organizing professional training for young tennis players, enabling them to continue developing their skills and pursuing careers in professional sports.

WhiteBIT x Svitolina Foundation Llorca Pons Tennis Residency aims to provide promising Ukrainian tennis players with stable and safe training conditions, access to international coaching expertise, and opportunities to pursue professional tennis regardless of external circumstances or financial limitations. The Ukrainian NGO Tryzub has also contributed to the implementation of the program.

"We want talented Ukrainian children to have access to professional training regardless of their families' financial circumstances or the challenges they face," said Volodymyr Nosov, founder and president of the W Group fintech ecosystem, which includes the WhiteBIT cryptocurrency exchange. "Our goal is to provide consistent support for young Ukrainian athletes so that, in the future, Ukraine will have a strong generation of tennis players capable of representing our country at the world's most prestigious tournaments and competing for top honors."

A key part of the program will be the personal involvement of Elina Svitolina, Ukraine's most successful tennis player in history, former WTA world No. 3, bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and Global Ambassador of WhiteBIT.

Having progressed from junior competitions to the highest level of professional tennis, she understands the importance of high-quality training, strong mentors, and international experience for young athletes. Elina Svitolina will contribute to the players' development by attending training sessions, meeting with participants, and sharing her experience of competing at the highest international level.

"When I was 12, I moved to Kharkiv, where I found the support and conditions I needed to develop professionally. I clearly remember how important it was to have people around me who believed in me and helped me move forward," said Elina Svitolina. "Today, I am happy that together with WhiteBIT, we can give young Ukrainian tennis players the same opportunity. At this difficult time for Ukraine, we want them to be able to focus on tennis without worrying about the conditions in which they live and train. And we want their parents to have peace of mind about their children despite all the challenges their families face."

Professional Training and International Coaches

WhiteBIT x Svitolina Foundation Llorca Pons Tennis Residency will take place in Spain. With WhiteBIT's support, participants will have the opportunity to spend nearly three months training in a professional sports environment, working with international specialists, and focusing on their athletic development.

The training program will be led by María José Llorca Pons, a former professional tennis player with more than 30 years of coaching experience. During her playing career, she represented Spain in international competitions, including Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympic Games.

As a coach, she has worked with players ranked among the world's top 30 in the WTA rankings. She will oversee the training process and be responsible for the participants' professional development throughout the program.

The program is designed for promising young tennis players who have already achieved strong results at the national level and demonstrate potential for further professional development. It takes a comprehensive approach to athlete development, focusing on technique, game tactics, physical fitness, endurance, and other essential skills needed to transition from junior to professional tennis.

The first group includes athletes from different regions of Ukraine, including Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Volyn, Odesa, and Lviv regions.

"Programs like this are particularly important for young Ukrainian athletes. Because of the war, children face additional challenges. That is why the opportunity to join an international program, train with new partners, receive professional feedback, and experience a different sporting culture is incredibly valuable," said the parents of Mariia Dzhur, a participant in WhiteBIT x Svitolina Foundation Llorca Pons Tennis Residency from Uzhhorod.

"What matters most to us about WhiteBIT x Svitolina Foundation Llorca Pons Tennis Residency is the opportunity to train regularly at a high level. It offers international experience, new knowledge, and training alongside a strong team. Our daughter's dream is to become the world's No. 1 tennis player, and we believe this program will help her take another step toward that goal," said the parents of young tennis player Ivanna Penteliuk from the Ivano-Frankivsk region.

WhiteBIT x Svitolina Foundation Llorca Pons Tennis Residency will be WhiteBIT's first initiative as part of its long-term commitment to supporting Ukrainian youth tennis. Its goal is to create new opportunities for the professional development of young athletes and help nurture the next generation of Ukrainian tennis players who will represent their country at major international tournaments.

About WhiteBIT

WhiteBIT is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange by traffic and one of the world's most recognized product-focused IT companies with Ukrainian roots. WhiteBIT is part of the W Group fintech ecosystem, which serves more than 40 million customers across 150 countries and develops advanced Web3 solutions for businesses, charitable organizations, and government initiatives.

The company partners with Visa, FACEIT, lifecell, the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, FC Barcelona, Juventus FC, the Ukraine national football team, and the Ukraine women's national tennis team.

About Svitolina Foundation

Svitolina Foundation is a charitable organization founded by Elina Svitolina, the most successful player in Ukrainian tennis history. Since 2019, the foundation has been developing sports, particularly tennis, supporting young talent, and representing Ukraine on the international stage.

The foundation's mission is to create opportunities for future generations by using sport as a powerful tool for positive and sustainable change.