AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2025

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

E. SVITOLINA/J. Paolini

2-6, 6-4, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Elina, that was an incredible fight from you. How were you able to turn it around after the first set?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, was not easy. Well, I didn't start as I wish I had. The start I was feeling quite good. I also had two good matches in the first two rounds.

But yeah, I wish I had a better start, but it is what it is. I was really happy I could find my game, find my rhythm the second. Obviously in the third set was playing really well.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How impressive do you think you were today to beat Paolini? Seemed to be very strong tonight.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, I don't think about it that way. I just try to take this win, to really enjoy this win because I put a good fight after the first set. It's not easy to come back into the match, especially when you're playing against a top player who is really making a lot of balls back and not giving you many mistakes to come back into the match.

So yes, I'm really happy I could find my serve, my rhythm. Yeah, just with the fighting spirit that I put today, that's I think I'm the most proud of.

Q. We saw Gael by your side on the court. How much does the emulation between you and him affect your results in this tournament?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, most of the big tournaments we have each other by our sides. It means a lot to us to have someone who understands what we are going through. Yeah, it's a really nice feeling for me personally.

I don't know how it is for other players. For me personally, it is nice when you come back to your room, you have a little chat about the matches, about the upcoming matches.

When we go back home, we completely switch off from that. We just enjoy our time as a family, as a mom and dad with our daughter. Yes, it's really unique connection that we have. I'm really happy the way that we've been dealing with these things.

Yeah, it's really a great day for us today, beating top-4 players and playing great tennis. So yes, it's a great day for us.

Q. What did he tell you after the victory? Were you impressed by him today because he played such a great match?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yes, I mean, he didn't say much to me, to be fair. He was just happy. Me, I was just telling him how impressive he handled the match. I know that he really wanted this match to go his way, wanted to play well, wanted to really take it on, you know, to take on Taylor. He's such a big player.

Gael, I feel like with you guys all the time mentioning his age, he feels that he still has a lot of energy in his tank. He wants to prove it. He wants to bring the battle. Yeah, he did it really impressively today.

Q. You mentioned the fighting spirit. I think that goes for both of you, right? If you look at the way both of you played, that fighting spirit stood out. Is that something that you're most proud of if you look back on your week here at the AO?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yes, for sure. I mean, today we both were a set down, both against really tough opponents who are not giving you many mistakes, who know how to win big matches.

For sure I'm really proud of myself, of Gael, that we didn't give up, that we believed in our game, believed that we could win, and yeah, get the wins today.

Q. A question about handshakes. You're playing a Russian player the next round. Do you think, generally speaking, not specifically in Ukraine and Russian context, handshakes are a bit hypocritical in tennis and that they are not necessary at the end of the match? If you had a tough match against an opponent, do you feel forced to shake her hand or not?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, if we don't take the Russia-Ukraine war, if we talk generally, I feel like it's been in tennis kind of for so many years. I feel little bit forced in a way. I mean, I think we can be fine also without the handshake because if you just acknowledge the opponent, saying like, Good job, it's fine.

I mean, during the COVID years, we were absolutely fine with not touching the hands. Yeah, I feel like it wouldn't make a big difference, no.

Q. Do you recall one match where you didn't feel like it was appropriate to shake the hand of on opponent?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I had couple of matches long time ago with some players who were really, really pissed that they lost the match, and the handshake was cold. I had also, like, one match where the girl, she lost against me, and then she just left the court because she was so frustrated.

For me, I mean, I don't really care so much about it. Of course, it's a little bit about respect. You can say like, Good match, did well, congrats. That's it.

Just, yeah, touching the hand sometimes can be forcing. I don't feel it's something we should focus on.