“Elina spoke after a successful start at the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland”, — write: sport.ua
“It was a good performance from my side and I am very satisfied with how I managed the match. The first set turned out to be quite tight. I think there were a lot of good games because there were a lot of quality draws. I’m very happy that I was able to find my game, and of course I’m very happy to reach the second round.
I would say that I felt that my fighting spirit had returned. It is nice to feel fresh and hungry for work again, to be ready to work and go through difficult moments. That break I took at the end of the season really helped me find that spirit and fighting spirit that I’ve had over the years.
Couple with Venus? I think it was a good decision to play in pairs. And especially – to play together with such a legend as Venus. It was an amazing moment for me to spend time with her on the court.
Support Monfils? He has a lot of experience, much more than I have. Off the court he is a very calm person and we talk – sometimes a lot, sometimes not much. I think we have a good sense of each other: when to talk, and when to just watch the series and not discuss tennis. This balance is very important.
It is important to have a person in your team and next to you who speaks honestly and whose opinion you can accept. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear, but when it comes from your husband or family, I think it’s especially important.”
On January 8, Svitolina will play against Katie Boulter in the 1/8 finals of the New Zealand competition.
