THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 30, 2021

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

E. SVITOLINA/A. Van Uytvanck

6-3, 2-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Getting on the court finally after a few days, in light of seeing what happened yesterday with Serena in particular, I was just wondering if you had any concerns going in on playing on the grass in general and just your thoughts going into the match.

ELINA SVITOLINA: I didn't really have any concerns. Even though, you know, Gael, he been playing his match for three days, and he told me it's a bit slippery.

To be fair, you know, I'm sure that we wouldn't be allowed to play on the court if the court would be in any danger for a player. I was just happy to go on the court finally after almost, you know, two years didn't play Wimbledon, so it's nice to be back and winning.

So it's a very good feeling. I'm just really happy to be on the court.

Q. What did you think worked best of all for you today in terms of shot making?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think the return was quite good for me today. I was striking the ball really good. On important moments, I think I was calm and my shots were quite good in the end.

Yeah, just happy the way I was tracking the ball and that I could hold my nerves. This was very important for me today.

Q. I have a question about another success from your country, and that is the football team from Ukraine. What are your thoughts about the defeat of Sweden and the next game that's on the horizon?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, it was really amazing match yesterday, and I was extremely happy, you know, to see the team winning. You know, we got this chance. It's almost was like Lucky Loser, you know, if you would say in tennis terms (smiling).

But we really used it, and it was amazing that, you know, the team were kind of playing well and composed. I heard that there was lots of critics after the two losses. In the end I think they were playing good and solid, as much as they could. It's amazing that we got another chance to play against a very strong team.

I think it's now the pressure is on England, so that's, you know, it's just nothing to lose for your Team Ukraine. I'm looking forward to the match.

Q. Why do you think the pressure is on England?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Because they are the favorites. We have nothing to lose, that's for sure. We did our best already to beat Sweden, and we used our chances.

So we just have to go there and show our best. And we're gonna do it, because we are Team Ukraine. You know, we never give up. We just go there and we fight until the end, you know. We die on the field and we do our best.

Q. I was going to ask about the football too. If you keep playing like that, the chances are you'll still be playing on Saturday. Saturday evening, would you are rather be playing here on Centre Court or watching England play Ukraine in the Euros?

ELINA SVITOLINA: That's a very tricky question. Well, I would prefer, you know, to play on Centre Court and then Ukraine beat England, that's the ideal (smiling).

Yeah, it's a very tough question. Yeah, I would, you know, prefer maybe to play in this time, and then Ukraine just take care of the business (smiling).

Q. Do you think you'll get a fair treatment from the English crowd if the football was going on at the same time?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think there will be like two people watching my match. I'm used to it now after two years of not having people. I'm completely fine with that.

I'm just happy to be playing here and, you know, I hope, you know, just will be good and I'm fine with that.

Q. On the no-so-happy subject, what were your thoughts when you saw what happened to Serena? What do you think the significance of her injury is?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, for sure it's very sad to see people getting injured. That's definitely, you know, such a big name as hers, big favorite, I think, for tournament, because doesn't matter, you know, in which form she's coming to the tournament, she's always a favorite for this tournament.

For sure, it's very, very sad to see her just pulling out like that.