Svitolina talks about her success after becoming a mother and returning to the top of the WTA rankings

Pedro de Pablos | 16 May 2026 | 22.37

Svitolina talks about her success after becoming a mother and returning to the top of the WTA ranking.

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Elina Svitolina is one of the greatest stories of overcoming in the WTA circuit. After becoming a mother in 2022 and abruptly interrupting her career, the Ukrainian tennis player made a triumphant comeback and is currently one of the best players on the circuit, as she demonstrated in WTA Rome 2026 by defeating Coco Gauff and lifting the title for the third time in her career.

In the subsequent press conference, the Ukrainian tennis player discussed various interesting topics. The first and foremost was how her expectations evolved once she returned to the circuit and began gaining confidence. Additionally, she talked about her husband Gael Monfils and how they are approaching the upcoming Roland Garros, and whether she has now regained her best level after the great results she has been achieving in 2026, leading her to the number 7 spot in the rankings.

Svitolina reveals how she is approaching Roland Garros after winning in Rome

Match against Gauff

Undoubtedly, it was an extremely tough battle. I am very pleased with how I managed my nerves, not only today but throughout the tournament. I think these two weeks have been challenging, but I am very satisfied with my game and how my body has responded in these demanding matches. I am very proud of the effort.

Title in Rome 8 years later

I have won different titles in different periods of time. It's hard to say which was the toughest. Each title had its own story. I believe this is one of the toughest draws I have had in a tournament. I am very proud of how I handled it, managing the nerves and being consistent. I think it's important to show good consistency throughout the year. That's my goal. I am happy that my season has been like this from the beginning of the year.

Confidence heading into Roland Garros

Well, it has happened to me twice after winning here. That is, eight years have passed since it occurred. Of course, it gives me a lot of confidence. It gives me a good idea for Roland Garros, but still, I want to focus and work hard, prepare from the first round. There are very tough players, you can't underestimate them. You have to be ready for the first-round matches, big battles. They are all there to beat you. They have nothing to lose, so you have to expect tough matches. For me, it's about taking it match by match, giving it my all, and having a good chance to compete well.

Words about Monfils, her husband

Yes, I actually spoke with him before the ceremony. He was very happy, very proud of the effort. He knows how much it means to me to win here, to get my twentieth title. I was eager to reach a round number before ending my career, surpassing the barrier of 20 titles. I felt he was very proud of the effort. He has also been watching all the matches this week. After the early defeat in Madrid, it was certainly not easy days for me. He always tells me how much I love playing here in Rome, so I have to give it my all.

I think he is very proud and happy with how I perform on the court. As you mentioned, for Roland Garros, we still have a couple of days to relax before the media storm and everything that comes with it. It's going to be very, very hectic, but at the same time I think very special for us as a family and, of course, for him personally, as he has been playing Roland Garros for many years. I think for him, having the French audience is something he always dreamed of as a child: playing the big matches, playing together. They support you during the matches. I think in recent years he has experienced something incredible. He always remembers it.
I think he will be very nervous, but he has calmed down a bit. He is just going to enjoy it and give his best in his last match.

Best memory of Rome

Well, besides winning the final, I think the best part is the celebration afterward (laughter). I remember I was just talking to my coach because he was with me eight years ago when I won here twice. Both times we went out for a celebration afterward. It was an unforgettable victory, so we were talking about it (smiling). Today I think I will be with the team, with good friends; I also have some friends here. We are just going to celebrate. Now we are older people with families, more boring, I guess (smiling).

Successful return after becoming a mother

Well, I think I would sign what happened, without a doubt. When I returned, for me it was important to simply give myself a good opportunity to play at the highest level. I never thought I could return. In a way, it emerged later. I think it was in stages. First, I wanted to get back into the top hundred because I was starting from scratch, then I wanted to be among the top thirty to be seeded. Then, starting from last year, I began to think, 'Okay, I think my level is there. I need to be more consistent, stronger physically to be more consistent, and then I will have the chance to reach the top 10 because I was already playing at a good level.'

Of course, you have to believe in it for it to happen. Little by little, I started to believe in it. I am very proud of the effort, very proud of recovering from the surgery. I had surgery two years ago, which was not easy. Besides, it was my first operation. Yes, I've had ups and downs, with small setbacks here and there. Overall, I am very proud of how I have been recovering and giving it my all to perform at the highest level.

Playing at her best level

Yes, they were very tough matches. I think the only one I remember being even tougher was in Toronto when I won it. I also played against four top-10 players at that time. Champions here as well, who love playing here: Rybakina, Swiatek... I think Coco also reached a final here and won Roland Garros. She is a great player on clay. For me, of course, it gives me a lot of confidence heading into Roland Garros. Yes, as I mentioned, I am very proud of the effort, of the intensity I was able to demonstrate to defeat those players.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Svitolina habla sobre su éxito tras ser madre y volver al top del ránking WTA