“Elina’s press conference after victory over Jessica Pegula in Indian Wellls”, – WRITE: Sport.ua
– Elina, today I had to face many difficulties. How satisfied are you with a victory?
– Yes, the match was far from simple: weather conditions, rain, constant stops and breaks. I think ten times had to be warmed up. But in such situations, everyone is in the same conditions, so you just need to adapt and play on. In general, he is satisfied with his speech.
– How nice to show such a good shape in large tournaments – in Australia and here – after surgery on the foot? Were there any doubts that the recovery could be more complicated than expected?
– I think it was quite difficult, because the foot is what we use daily. For a long time, I felt pain, for months I could not step on the leg at all, and it was swelling. It was a really painful and difficult experience.
Of course, the return to the court was accompanied by discomfort. Therefore, before you start training again, I tried to emphasize the physical training in the hall to strengthen the muscles and be confident in my shape. I think the team and I did a great job to prepare to feel confident and show quality tennis in the tournaments.
– After your past match, you posted a post on social networks, where they thanked their friends from the US for their support. It was your personal experience in communicating with the Americans, did you also mean the meeting of the President of Ukraine with Donald Trump in the Oval Office and his statement that Ukraine should be more grateful?
– No, this is based solely on my personal experience. After that meeting in the oval office, I received a lot of support from the Americans, and when I came to this tournament, many people have shown warmth and solidarity here, expressing support for Ukraine and Ukrainians who are now at home.
So it’s a purely personal impression. In addition, I was really impressed with incredible support, given that I played three matches in a row against the American. These are special moments, and it is very valuable for me to feel such support, especially knowing what stress is now all Ukrainians feel.
– If we have touched this topic, you mentioned stress. Now, perhaps, one of the most difficult times, although the situation has always been tense. How do you manage to switch, or maybe television can’t be distracted at all? How much thoughts about what is happening affect your game? How do you manage to show such stunning tennis, despite all this? What is your routine?
– We are all living people, and we get used to much. The war has been going on for over three years, and now I am trying to separate the time: when I read news when I train when I recover. Of course, I check the news daily, several times a day, especially now when there are many alarming messages.
But there is time for this, and there is time for tennis. There is time for training, recovery and moments when you need to disconnect completely. A big role is played with my family – here with me my daughter, here is a gael, and it helps to get distracted.
But such moments are just a few hours that I try to use as much as possible. It gives me freshness, the energy I need to perform at a high level. Because I feel good to play – for the sake of my country. It is important for me to see the Ukrainian flag on the court, to see the victorious sign near my country.
Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Elina Svitolina – With your grandmother all okay?
– She, like everyone else, lives every day in war. It is a huge stress for my whole family. My parents try to come to her as often as possible and to the whole family that remains in Odessa. When I have a small window in the schedule, I also go to Ukraine to visit my grandmother and work on my fund.
– On days like today, when matches are interrupted, but at the same time you continue to keep track of the news and take care of the baby, how difficult it is to return to a tennis rhythm?
I really try to clearly distinguish everything that happens. As I said, there is a time for the family, there is a time when I can read news when I talk to my family in Ukraine.
I understand well that news from there are rarely good. For a very long time we have only heard bad news. Therefore, it is important for me to share these things. When it’s time to prepare for the match, I try to focus on tennis as much as possible, think about tactics, what I need to do on the court.
Working with a psychologist helped me a lot. She taught me to prioritize and understand what is important at this point. It really helps me.
– The question of your glasses. I noticed you wear them in the evening when you work. Are you playing in lenses? And take them right after the match to let the eyes rest?
– No, I don’t play in lenses. I have vision yet good, but glasses help protect my eyes, give a small correction. You just need to keep your eyes off the bright light. That’s all.
– Has Madison Kis’s victory inspired? Of course, you have different styles of the game, but in some ways you are similar: both have knocked on the Magors door for a long time, both developed and made changes to your game. When you saw her won the first Grand Slam, did you think: “Yes, it is possible”?
Yes, Madison did a stunning work by winning the title on Australian Open. This is a truly special moment for her. I think she could win the Major before, because she had a powerful game, and she was always in the fight in big tournaments.
Her victory is fully deserved, and for me it is another reminder that you need to continue to work, look for your chances and be ready to take advantage of the moment. She showed incredible tennis, and this is a great example that if you work hard and stay in the right place at the right time, you can win this trophy.
