Elina Svitolina’s priorities have shifted since becoming a mother. While she still aims to reach certain milestones in her tennis career, her primary focus is now on spending as much time as possible with her daughter, Skai.
Fifteen months after getting married to Gael Monfils, Svitolina gave birth to their first child in October last year. Although Svitolina quickly returned to the Hologic WTA Tour, at the Credit One Charleston Open this month, she now has a different perspective and is uncertain how much longer she will continue to compete.
“I would like to spend all my time with Skai and share every moment with her,” the 28-year-old Svitolina told Punto de Break, as Sportskeeda reports. “But I decided to return to competition and focus on my tennis. I don’t know how many more seasons I will play.”
However, before she hangs up her racquet, Svitolina wants to achieve certain goals. Her short-term plans include a number of tournaments she is scheduled to enter in the 2023 season.
After playing the WTA 500 Credit One Charleston Open, and two ITF events, in Chiasso (Switzerland) and Oeiras (Portugal), Svitolina will play the Mutua Madrid Open as a wildcard. Afterwards, she will use the protected ranking to enter the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome, then the Internationaux de Strasbourg, and finally Roland Garros.
The former world No.3, whose win-loss record since the comeback stands at 1-3, is determined to regain her form:
“I have to find my rhythm, readapt myself to the circuit and everything that is required. It’s a complicated process that I want to face with commitment.”
