Elina Svitolina Credits Mental Health Break for Her Resurgence

Elina Svitolina will now be playing her fourth semifinal of the season. In the ongoing Indian Wells, the Kazakh ace will be up against Elena Rybakina in the last four, scheduled to be held on Friday (March 13).

Prior to arriving in the California desert, Svitolina lost to Jessica Pegula in the Dubai Tennis Championships, in what was also her first final in a WTA 1000 event since she clinched her fourth title at this level at the 2018 Italian Open. Before the Dubai event, Svitolina suffered a fourth-round exit at the Qatar Open.

Svitolina is chasing her second title of the season, having won the ASB Classic by defeating Wang Xinyu. After winning her 19th singles title, the Ukrainian ace fell in the semifinals of the Australian Open, losing in straight sets to eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka.

In the ongoing event, the 31-year-old knocked out two-time champion Iga Swiatek in three sets. And at the press conference later, she credited her mental health break that she took in mid-2025 for her resurgence.

The time I took, especially mentally, made a big difference. I was overwhelmed, very tired, completely exhausted. Perhaps I was also putting too much pressure on myself, besides everything I have to manage in my life. Sometimes it’s important to pause a bit. In my case, it helped me let go of everything and start afresh.

Svitolina ended her 2025 season after her defeat to Coco Gauff in the third round of the US Open. Last year, she won one title- the Open de Rouen by beating Olga Danilovic.

I didn’t play for a month. I did physical work, fitness, and preventive measures to improve small aspects. Then I gradually resumed specific court work until I began training again with my coach and the team. It really refreshed my mind. I went from feeling overwhelmed to feeling ready again to face tough situations and rediscover that inner fire that drives me.

Elina Svitolina added

Svitolina holds a 3-3 head-to-head record over the two-time Grand Slam champion. Rybakina is also chasing her second title of the season after her win at the Australian Open over Sabalenka.

Elina Svitolina comments on her match against Iga Swiatek

Elina Svitolina became the reason why Iga Swiatek lost for the third consecutive time in her third singles event this season. The win helped Svitolina improve her head-to-head record over the six-time Grand Slam champion to 2-4.

It was a good day for me. I played really well. I wouldn’t say it was a perfect match, but somehow I managed to stay in the game, fight, and find a solution after losing the second set. But yes, I’m very happy overall with my performance.

Elina Svitolina said at the press conference

Before her defeat to Svitolina, the 24-year-old had lost to Maria Sakkari in the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open and to Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Swiatek has not won a title since last year’s Korea Open.

Last year, she reached four finals and clinched three titles, including Wimbledon, where she double-bagelled Amanda Anisimova. At Indian Wells, Swiatek was chasing her third title, having won in 2022 and 2024 by defeating Sakkari. The last time Swiatek won a WTA 1000 title was at the 2025 Cincinnati Open by beating Jasmine Paolini.

Swiatek, who has so far won 11 WTA 1000 titles, will next be gearing up for the Miami Open, where she tasted success just once, in 2022, by defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. Svitolina is a one-time semifinalist in Miami, reaching the stage in 2021.

Also read: Olympic Skier Clears the Air on Heckling of Jannik Sinner During Indian Wells

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