Elina Svitolina Admits to Being Content Without Having Grand Slam Title After Motherhood

Elina Svitolina played her first tournament since reaching her career’s fourth Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, where eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka knocked her out in straight sets. Svitolina, after taking a week off, then returned to competition at the WTA 1000 Qatar Open.

Although the seventh seed knocked out countrywoman Dayana Yastremska in her opening round, she succumbed to defeat against Anna Kalinskaya. It was in Doha back in 2017 that Svitolina lifted her career’s first Big Title by defeating Caroline Wozniacki. Although she went on to add three more WTA 1000 titles to her trophy cabinet, in Grand Slam events, she is yet to taste glory.

But Svitolina, who welcomed daughter Skai, also the “sparkle of happiness” for her and husband Gael Monfils, in October 2022, is content in her life, and having a Grand Slam title or no title won’t matter to her much.

Before, this was a very sensitive topic. When you’re very young, and you’ve been Top 3 for…a couple of years, and you’re a favorite for a Grand Slam, but you never make it, it’s very tough. It’s tough when you come close, play a couple semifinals, and have some chances, you think you can make it, but then you don’t.

Elina Svitolina told Tennis Channel

The former World No.3 came back from maternity leave in 2023, and since then, she worked her way up and now has gotten back to the top 10. At present, she stands in the No.9 spot.

But I think after giving birth and having different perspectives, I accepted this idea that I am ok to live my life after tennis and not having won a Grand Slam. I’ve still had a very solid career on my shoulders, and I did my very best. If it happens at the end of my career, okay, amazing. But if not, it’s also an amazing career. I just have to accept it, and after all, it’s not only about tennis at the end of the day.

Elina Svitolina added

Svitolina, who still thinks she has a chance of winning a Major, is also dreaming of opening her tennis academy. She believes sports help in releasing bad energy, and people in Ukraine need different ways to do so amidst the war against Russia.

Elina Svitolina calls Oleksandra Oliynykova a big inspiration

Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova challenged defending champion Madison Keys in the first round of the Australian Open, and even though the match did not end in her favor, she made headlines all over for her emotional statements about the sufferings of people back home.

Elina Svitolina, during the aforementioned interview with Tennis Channel, called her a big inspiration because of the way she has been pushing herself in the face of adversity.

I think it’s inspiring for lots of Ukrainians to see how she’s pushed herself to become a professional tennis player, especially how she’s come from not having too much money to pushing, pushing, and winning matches. Then she was winning tournaments, and before we knew it, she’s on the center court in Australia. It’s amazing for upcoming girls and for Ukraine, a big inspiration.

Oliynykova recently played the Winners Open, where eventual runner-up Emma Raducanu knocked her out in the semifinals in three sets. The World No.71 has so far added three Challenger titles to her name. All of these titles she won last year.

Svitolina, on the other hand, won the Open de Rouen against Olga Danilovic last year. This year, before reaching her first Australian Open semifinal, the 31-year-old beat Wang Xinyu in the ASB Classic final to win her career’s 19th singles title.

Also read: (Video) Alexander Bublik Makes Funny Novak Djokovic Admission in a Rant on Hubert Hurkacz’s Game at Rotterdam

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