“It would have been hard not to have Skai with me”

• Australian Open women's semifinal schedule
• Thursday, January 29
• 10:30 Aryna Sabalenka (1) – Elina Svitolina (12)
• Followed by Jessica Pegula (6) – Elena Rybakina (5)
• The matches are broadcast on Eurosport and HBO Max

For the fourth time in her career, Elina Svitolina will contest a Grand Slam semifinal, but the first at the Australian Open. At the age of 31 last September, the Ukrainian entered the category of experienced and valuable players, who, however, lack a major final from their records, let alone a title.

However, she fulfilled a goal that she also put on the list last year, the one to return to the world Top 10. She is unbeaten so far in 2026 and the title in Auckland plus the important result in Melbourne helped her return to the world's best.

“I also set this goal in 2025 and I am happy that I have finally reached my goal. I no longer have this weight on my shoulders“, said Elina in an interview with Barbara Schett for Eurosport. “Of course, the ultimate goal is still to win a Grand Slam, but also to climb higher in the rankings. But now I feel good that I have the opportunity to play this semi-final, so I will enjoy it“, she added after her victory over Coco Gauff in the “quarters”.

Asked about the prospect of facing world number one Aryna Sabalenka in her next match, Svitolina said “she's a great champion. She's won a lot of tournaments, of course, twice here, so it's going to be a challenge. I'll prepare, I'll talk to my coach about the tactical stuff and I'll try to execute it well,” the former WTA No. 3 stressed.

The balance of the meetings between the two is favorable to Belarus, 5-1Elina's only victory being registered at Strasbourg 2020, on clay. They most recently faced each other in Madrid, last year, when Sabalenka prevailed with 6-3, 7-5.

Summary of the match Elina Svitolina – Coco Gauff

Svitolina confessed in the conversation with Barbara Schett that the explanation for the good evolution this year is largely due to the break she took at the end of the previous season. “I think it helped me to refresh myself, to find again this fighting spirit that helps me fight through many matches“, she explained.

He stayed away from the racket for a month, but did not stop the movement, focusing on physical training. “I did a lot of hours, a lot of exercises. It was very important for me to stay physically strong, not to stop this training because I am a professional athlete, I have to take care of this aspect,” the Ukrainian emphasized.

19WTA titles Elina Svitolina has in her record, the most important being the Tournament of Champions in 2018

She did not play again in 2025 after the final tournament of the BJK Cup in Shenzhen, where Ukraine stopped in the semifinals, and she was defeated by Jasmine Paolini in singles, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. “It would have been too much for me to go to the Asian tournaments. End of year, not having Skai with me, a mix of things,” she said, mentioning her and Gael Monfils' 3-year-old daughter.

Elina Svitolina: “We know each other so well”

Elina Svitolina, Gael Monfils and their daughter Skai Photo: Instagram

“It was tough losing the Billie Jean King Cup for us. Now I'm glad I made that decision, I don't think I'd be here if I'd carried on, I was completely consumed,” she detailed. As for her husband, who in 2026 completes the last season on the circuit, at 39 years old, she emphasizes that it is great to have him by her side. “He understands me very well. It's been eight years since we've been together, we know each other so well. It's something special to be next to me“, concluded Elina Svitolina.

The two married on July 16, 2021, in Nyon, after announcing their engagement on April 3 of the same year.