Roland-Garros 2023: winning Grand Slam return for Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, seven months after giving birth

The public at the Porte d'Auteuil had not seen her since 2021 and her defeat in the 3rd round against Barbora Krejcikova (current 4th in the world), but Elina Svitolina could see that he had not forgotten her

Roland-Garros 2023: winning Grand Slam return for Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, seven months after giving birth

The public at the Porte d'Auteuil had not seen her since 2021 and her defeat in the 3rd round against Barbora Krejcikova (current 4th in the world), but Elina Svitolina could see that he had not forgotten her. Warmly encouraged by the approximately 3,500 spectators, who did not hesitate to shout "Allez Elina!" “, the Ukrainian signed a winning return to Roland-Garros on Monday, May 29. The 192ᵉ world, but which benefits from a protected classification, did not drag (6-2, 6-2 in 1:10) against the Italian Martina Trevisan, seeded nᵒ 26 and semi-finalist the year last, under the eyes of her husband, Gaël Monfils – who will compete on Tuesday against the Argentinian Sebastian Baez.

While she had not set foot on the Parisian clay court last year, "exhausted by the war" but above all pregnant, Elina Svitolina quickly found her bearings and recited her tennis on the Simonne-Mathieu court. Always impeccable on her line with early ball catches, the former world No. 3 placed sharp forehand accelerations and some well-felt offbeat climbs.

However, the 28-year-old is the first surprise to be present at Porte d'Auteuil. "I never thought it would be possible," she told Telegram in early May. And for good reason: just seven months ago, she gave birth to a baby girl named Skai. "It's very special for me to win my first Grand Slam match [after his break] here in Paris, where I have very good memories," she reacted on the court after the match.

It was in March 2022 that Elina Svitolina learned of her pregnancy, a week after the start of the war in Ukraine. She still decides to line up in Monterrey (Mexico) and Indian Wells (United States), but her mind is elsewhere. "I really pushed my limits, physically and mentally, but it became impossible to focus on tennis," she told L'Equipe in April.

Committed to his country

So the Ukrainian, already diminished by a back injury, put away the rackets earlier than expected. This year spent away from the courts which allows him to enjoy his family life with Gaël Monfils, then injured, and to return to Ukraine in February. There, she visits her grandmother, who has remained in Odessa, and meets the president, Volodymyr Zelensky. The tennis player has given way to the committed woman.

In June 2022, she became the ambassador of the United 24 association – created by the Ukrainian president – ​​which helps Ukraine and for which she has already raised more than a million dollars. Far from the circuit, she does not hesitate to make her voice heard, deploring in particular the absence of suspension of the Russians and Belarusians.

In the locker room, tensions are still high and this was seen again on Sunday during the match between Aryna Sabalenka (2ᵉ) against Marta Kostyuk (28ᵉ). Invited to a press conference to react to the absence of a handshake between the two players – a common occurrence since the start of the Russian invasion – Elina Svitolina instead invited “everyone to help the Ukrainian people”. "It's the most important thing and we're missing it," she added with a trembling voice, also confirming that she was going to give the money from her victory in Strasbourg last week to the children. Ukrainians.

Falling back beyond the 1,000ᵉ world place when she resumed in April in Charleston (United States) and already back in the top 200, the one who describes herself as a "full mom" seems close to her level of play. Before. And if she "always had it in mind to come back for [her] and achieve the goals that [her] have left", she now also plays for her people. "I want to bring these little moments of joy to the Ukrainians in this horrible situation," concluded the Ukrainian player.