THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 6, 2023

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

E. SVITOLINA/E. Mertens

6-1, 1-6, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Good win out there today. Give us your thoughts on the match.

ELINA SVITOLINA: It was a roller coaster a little bit today, but in the end, really happy with the first and third set. Was playing really good, serving well. Yeah, just played well those sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You next play Sofia Kenin. What are your recollections of having played her before, and what are your thoughts on how she's improved her game lately and seems to be back on the path that got her to a major championship?

ELINA SVITOLINA: We played couple of times, more than three times, as I remember right now. I think last time maybe was in Shenzhen. It was a tough match. Every match that we played together were quite close matches.

Yeah, she's back playing and, you know, is going to be another tough match for me. So I will just recover and I think we are scheduled to play tomorrow. So looking forward to this battle.

Q. How would you describe her style of play and what the keys to the matchups are when you play her?

ELINA SVITOLINA: She's aggressive baseliner. You know, she loves to strike the ball, dictate on the baseline. I'll have to react quick. I'll have to move my legs really, really well and expect a quick ball.

I think like kind of similar what was the game style of Mertens, as well. She strikes the ball really good and really dangerous shots. Like I had to move my legs. I had to try to win the initiative.

Yeah, we'll see how it goes.

Q. Today you played very aggressively. Do you have any intention of changing the great game plans as the tournament progresses?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Every match, every round and every opponent I have a game, like a game plan that I try to execute. Every opponent is different, playing kind of in their own way.

I adjust my game, I adjust a little bit my serve, and the game plan, depending on the opponent. Yeah, it's depending on who is in front of me.

Q. Your pregnancy comeback is just going really well. What do you credit that to? Is it your work, or do you think there is a little bit you just can't believe you're playing so well?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, I expected to play well and, you know, playing for so many years in the top level, you want to play well, you want to come back to that level, you want to play in the big stages, win these big matches. So you kind of expect, but in a way, of course, is very difficult road to come back to your best form, to your best game.

I just try to not be so hard on myself when I was not winning so many matches. I knew that I was playing the right way. Just few points I was not playing aggressive, I was not, you know, taking so much risk. And now everything is back to good, and I'm feeling that I'm in a good form right now. Since Strasbourg I have been striking the ball really well and feeling really well.

I cannot compare it to what it was before the pregnancy. Now is very different. It's like something new in my game. Also my mindset is very fresh now, I'm really motivated like never before.

Yeah, just happy with where I am right now.

Q. Just wondered if there was one thing you could change about tennis, what would that be?

ELINA SVITOLINA: It's a difficult question. Probably, yeah, probably would be like smaller draws, so then the tournaments are going a bit quicker. Because obviously, you know, the tournaments are one week or sometimes two weeks like Grand Slams. Somehow the scoring maybe system. Yeah, just then we would get a chance to go back home a bit quicker, you know. So yeah, shorter matches probably, something like that.

Q. At the Grand Slams or...

ELINA SVITOLINA: Any, anywhere (smiling).

Q. Since coming back in April, do you feel like a different player or are there some similarities how you were in the past?

ELINA SVITOLINA: No, I feel like I play, I don't know what exactly, I think maybe it's better to ask my coach what have change, but I feel different. You know, I feel that my mindset is different right now. You know, I'm more patient as well. I strike the ball better right now.

Yeah, now is the matter of like just adjusting my game and now accepting smart scheduling as well, to not, you know, play too many tournaments as well.

I know that I'm not defending yet any points, so gaining. That's why it's important to take time to schedule well, to not get any injuries. You know, the goal is to be always fresh, always motivated for every practice, for every tournament.

Yeah, that's why right now I think we are on a good way, on a good path. I feel good. I feel motivated. Even though when there was tough times before Strasbourg, before I started to play better, you know, I tried to accept, I tried to just work through this time and, you know, just give myself a good chance to play well again.