Elina Svitolina, born on September 12, 1994, is a highly accomplished Ukrainian professional tennis player.
At 30 years old, she has achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in singles and has won 17 WTA Tour singles titles, including the prestigious 2018 WTA Finals.
She has also reached the semifinals of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2019.
Svitolina is the first Olympian to win a medal in tennis for Ukraine, securing a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
After a break in 2022 to give birth, she made a strong comeback in 2023, winning a WTA title and reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open and the semifinals of Wimbledon.
As the most successful Ukrainian tennis player in history, she is the first Ukrainian woman to break into the top 10 rankings.
Parents
Elina was born to Mikhaylo and Olena Svitolina in Odesa, Ukraine.
Her father, Mikhaylo, is a former professional wrestler who played a significant role in nurturing her athletic talent and even took on a coaching role during her early career.
Her mother, Olena, is a former competitive rower who later focused on supporting Elina’s tennis journey.
The family moved to Kharkiv when Elina was 13 to facilitate her training after she gained sponsorship from businessman Yuriy Sapronov, who recognized her potential at a tournament.
Elina has an older brother, Yulian, who was also a tennis player. His success in the sport initially inspired her to take up tennis at the age of five, as she sought to gain her father’s attention.
Career
Svitolina’s tennis journey began at the age of five, inspired by her older brother, and her family quickly recognized her talent.
At 13, they moved to Kharkiv to support her training after she gained sponsorship.
Her successful junior career culminated in winning the 2010 French Open girls’ singles title, foreshadowing her potential.
Turning professional in 2010, she steadily climbed the rankings, winning her first WTA title in 2013 at the Baku Cup, a pivotal moment in her early career.
Svitolina continued to rise, breaking into the world’s top 50 in 2013 and the top 20 in 2015, displaying consistent improvement. 2017 marked a breakthrough year with three Premier 5 titles: the Dubai Tennis Championships, the Italian Open, and the Canadian Open, highlighting her ability to win against top-ranked players.
Her crowning achievement came in 2018, winning the WTA Finals in Singapore, defeating several elite players and solidifying her place among the world’s best.
While consistently performing well in major tournaments, Svitolina reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2019.
A standout moment was winning the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), a historic achievement for Ukrainian tennis.
After taking time off in 2022 to give birth to her daughter, Skaï, she made a remarkable comeback in 2023, winning a WTA title and making impressive runs at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Known for her all-court game, Svitolina is characterized by solid groundstrokes, strong defensive skills, and tactical awareness.
Her mental toughness and ability to perform under pressure are key factors in her success.
Beyond tennis, Svitolina is involved in charitable activities through her foundation, which supports children and promotes tennis in Ukraine.
She also serves as an ambassador for various organizations, demonstrating her commitment to humanitarian causes.
