“Elina talked to journalists before the start of the Australian Open 2026”, — write: sport.ua
About the planning of off-season training: “It really comes down to finding a balance. I think over the years, my coach and team and I have found a few little tricks that help us be in better shape. I am very happy that I was able to win in Auckland. It’s a good start, a solid start and hopefully I can use it as a foundation for the future.”
About the start at the Australian Open: “The first round of the Grand Slam tournament is, of course, very difficult, everyone is as ready as possible and extremely motivated to play well. At the first major, everyone wants to show off what they’ve been working on in the offseason, and that makes the tournament interesting. That is why we will see many great matches. Personally, it is important for me to focus on one match at a time, not look too far ahead, recover well, be ready physically and mentally, then I will have a good chance to play at a high level.”
About his confident performances in the finals: “For many years, I have been building this image and this mentality step by step. This is important. Of course, there are still a lot of matches to be won before the final, but the final is crucial and that’s where you have to show your best tennis. It is for such moments that you train and work. That’s why I try to find my way and small details that help in the most important moments, even if I can’t show my best tennis because of a lot of pressure and responsibility, at least fight and find a way to win.”
About joint training with her husband Gael Monfils: “I definitely get very intense training because he obviously hits the ball very hard and powerful and I have to react extremely quickly. I think it benefits my game because now everyone is playing hard, everyone is putting in their shots. And training with him gives me the confidence that I am ready for other speeds. For my part, I teach his backhand down the line, I would say it’s my best shot. And now he tells me that because of this, his backhand along the line has also improved (laughs).”
About Gael’s last season in Tour: “The energy that the fans are giving now is incredible. It is really charged by the spectators who come to watch matches and training. It gives a lot of joy. Of course, there is a bit of worry as he would like to have a strong season. And I know that he is capable of it, he trained well. I was impressed with how much work he put in during the offseason on the court and in the gym. I can see that he would really like to end his career on a high note. And I am happy to be next to him on this beautiful path and support him, no matter what.”
In the first round of the Australian Open, Elina will play against Kristina Buksha. The meeting will begin on January 18 and will begin approximately at 04:30 Kyiv time.