Since her daughter, Skaï, was born in October, she has made an effort to return to the circuit. Two weeks ago she won a WTA 250 and is already among the top 8 in Paris. Her upbringing method with her partner, Gael Monfils.
On October 15 of last year, Elina Svitolina y Gael Monfils they welcomed their first daughter. This Sunday, with her husband encouraging her from the stands -as did the entire local public, who adopted her as their own- and with little Skaï very close, the Ukrainian took a huge step on her way back to the elite by getting into the quarterfinals of Roland Garrosjust eight months after giving birth.
Svitolina, who came to occupy the third step of the world ranking, surprised by defeating the Russian 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) Daria Kasatkinaninth favorite of the contest, and secure a place among the eight best in the tournament, the first Grand Slam that she plays as a mother.
“When Skaï was born in October, I didn’t even dream of being here today. Having played this tournament again and being in the quarterfinals is a very special feeling. I’m going to keep pushing,” she said excitedly.
“This is really the first Skaï tournament. With Gael we take turns to take care of her, when the other has to train or play. He is a very calm person and supports me a lot. We have a very fun life and we really enjoy the moments that we can spend together, as a family,” he commented.
And he added: “You have to make a great effort to be a mother and a tennis player, adapt to many things that are different and for which no one prepares you.”
The Ukrainian announced that she was pregnant in March 2022. And after Skaï’s arrival, he wasted no time and immediately began working to finalize his return.
“I already knew when I was pregnant that I would be back, because I have some goals that I want to complete before I retire altogether,” she said.
After more than a year of inactivity, and just five months after giving birth, she returned to play a WTA tournament in April, after receiving a wild card for the 500th Charleston. He lost in the debut with the kazakh Yulia Putintseva, but he took the first step. The following Monday, he appeared on the 1,344th step of the ranking, the lowest he had held due to his long absence. And then, little by little, she was building her return, with some forays into the ITF Women’s Tour, the WTA 125 (equivalent to the male challengers) and other appearances on the major circuit.
two weeks ago in the WTA 250 Strasbourgone of the last preparation tournaments for Roland Garros, won his 17th title. He was the first since the birth of his daughter and allowed him to make a huge jump in the ranking: he went from 508th to 192nd place. In less than two months, he recovered 1,146 positions. With his performance in Paris, he has already secured at least 73rd place.
The celebration in Strasbourg, in addition, was a huge confidence boost for the French Grand Slam, which he entered with a protected ranking. And with victories against the Italian Martina Trevisan (26th favourite), the Australian Storm Hunter and the Russians Anna Blinkova y Kasatkina, reached the quarterfinals for the fourth time. He had already reached that round in 2015, 2017 and 2020, when he lost to Nadia Podoroskain that historic campaign of Rosario in Bois de Boulogne.
Now, on Tuesday, June 6 from 7 in the morning in our country, he will go in search of his first semis in the French Major – he reached that round in Wimbledon and the US Open of 2019, her best result in this category – against the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (2nd) who beat the American Sloane Stephens.
“I feel very good, in good physical shape. I worked hard and I feel that I am as strong as before, maybe even more. Game by game I am improving”, analyzed who was two. “Everything is different. I am a mother, I am not in the top 10 or top 20 and I see things in a different way… But little by little, the puzzle is fitting. And I’m happy”.
2023-06-05 06:15:42
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