Elina Svitolina Begins 2026 Campaign with Perfect Record
PARIS, 23 January 2026 – Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has opened her 2026 season in imperious form, winning her first seven matches and capturing the title in Auckland. Now ranked World No. 12, the 31-year-old is building on a successful comeback season in 2025, which saw her return to the top 15 after overcoming injury. Beyond her on-court prowess, Svitolina remains a prominent voice for her homeland and leads charitable efforts through her foundation.
Flying Start to 2026
Svitolina has begun the new tennis year with a flawless 7-0 match record. Her season started with a triumph at the ASB Classic in Auckland, securing her 19th career WTA singles title. This early success signals a player in confident form, carrying momentum from a robust 2025 campaign where she demonstrated her resilience and competitive edge across all surfaces.
2025: A Season of Resurgence
The previous year marked a definitive return to elite competition for Svitolina. After missing the latter part of 2024 due to foot surgery, she returned to win the WTA 250 event in Rouen—her first title in two years. Her consistency was notable, reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, the semi-finals in Madrid, and the last eight in Rome. She finished the season ranked World No. 14, re-establishing herself as a formidable opponent in major tournaments.
Elina Svitolina: Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Current Ranking (Jan 2026) | World No. 12 |
| Career-High Ranking | World No. 3 (September 2017) |
| Career Titles | 19 WTA Singles Titles |
| 2026 Record (to date) | 7 Wins – 0 Losses |
| Grand Slam Best | Semi-finals (Wimbledon 2019, 2023; US Open 2019) |
| Prize Money (Career) | Over $24.3 million USD |
| Personal | Married to Gael Monfils (2021). Daughter, Skai, born October 2022. |
Beyond the Baseline: Foundation & Advocacy
Svitolina’s influence extends far beyond tennis. The Elina Svitolina Foundation, established in 2019, is dedicated to identifying and supporting young tennis talent in Ukraine. Since the onset of war, its mission has expanded to include humanitarian aid, psychological support for athletes, and sports diplomacy. In a significant move, the Ukrainian Tennis Federation delegated the management of the women’s national Billie Jean King Cup team to the foundation for the 2024-2027 period.
A vocal advocate for Ukraine, Svitolina has consistently used her platform to raise awareness about the war. She has adopted a policy of not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents as a stance against the conflict, emphasising the need for the sports world to respect Ukraine’s position.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Elina Svitolina performed since returning from maternity leave?
Svitolina returned to the tour in April 2023 after giving birth to her daughter. Her comeback has been impressive, winning titles in Strasbourg (2023) and Rouen (2025), and making deep runs at Grand Slams, including a semi-final at Wimbledon in 2023. She has successfully reintegrated into the sport’s top tier.
What is the Svitolina Foundation?
The Elina Svitolina Foundation is a charitable organisation focused on developing Ukrainian tennis. It supports young athletes, provides mental health services, and, since 2022, has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts to aid those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Why does Svitolina not shake hands with some opponents?
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Svitolina made the decision not to perform the traditional post-match handshake with players from Russia and Belarus. She views this as a gesture of solidarity with her country and a refusal to normalise relations while the war continues.
Who coaches Elina Svitolina?
She is currently coached by Andrew Bettles. Her team has played a crucial role in her successful return to competition following her pregnancy and injury recovery.