Tennis
SVITOLINA: “Sometimes you have to take one step back to take three steps forward”
Ukraine’s first racket Elina Svitolina She said at a press conference about her victory at the WTA 250 hard court tournament in Auckland:
“It was a really difficult week with matches of a different nature, but I am very happy with my performance, the way I coped with the pressure, strong opponents and difficult situations. So, considering the experience I had two years ago when I fell a little short in the final (against Coco Gauff), I am very happy to win on these courts and win a trophy, but this time I won another trophy.
19 wins in 23 finals? It’s hard to say why, but I try to focus 100% on every point in the final. I think you end up with mixed emotions and a lot of pressure. That’s why it’s important to fight. You just need to focus and try to win the championship. And yes, everything is going well so far.
Do you want to end the season early and start a new year? Of course, this win means a lot to me, especially after the difficult end of last season. I was in a very bad place mentally and I decided to take a break to avoid finishing the season and I was very tired mentally.
Sometimes it is not easy to end the season early, but sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take two or three steps forward. I think I’m in good shape right now. I’m playing well. The offseason went well. “I was ready to work because when you are mentally tired, you don’t even have the strength to work, to deal with difficult situations, to be resilient.”
Monfils and his trophy in Auckland in 2026? We really enjoy playing here. There is nothing we don’t like except the wind blowing occasionally. But we can’t control it, it’s nature. I think the organization is great, the fans are great too.
Most of the matches the stadium is full, everyone even stays up late to watch the matches and everything is very well organised. So of course, as a player, it’s nice to come back to these types of tournaments.”
Photo of Elina Svitolina from the press conference
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk She reached the final of the first tournament of the 2026 WTA 500 season in Brisbane, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
Martha performing at the Australia 500 $134,600 and 325 points. Sabalenka received a check for $214,530 for winning the cup.
The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua
In addition to Kostyuk, Ukraine was also represented in singles by Dayana Yastremskaya and Angelina Kalinina. Yastremskaya completed the third round and Kalinina completed the first qualifying round. Dayana’s prize money was $19,909 and Angelina’s was $5,115.
Ukrainian sisters Kichenok Lyudmila and Nadezhda competed in the doubles tournament. They advanced to the semifinals and won $30,010 between them ($15,005 each).
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Ukrainian tennis player on the night of January 13 Daria Snigur (WTA 136) will qualify for the 2026 Australian Open.
In the first round we will play against Ukrainians Katarzyny Kavy (Poland, WTA 135). The approximate start time of the meeting is 03:00 Kyiv time.
The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua
This will be the first head-to-head meeting between the rivals.
The winner of the second round will compete with Astra Sharma or Carson Branstein.
Attention! The match is broadcast by a third-party service (player), the content of which is not managed or controlled by Sport.ua.
The use of this player is a voluntary and informed decision by the user who accepts all risks associated with the use of this player.
ROSE STORE OF THE DAY
TOURNAMENT SITE
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
Ukrainian tennis player on the night of January 13 Angelina Kalinina (WTA 1780 will begin qualifying for the 2026 Australian Open.
In the first round, the Ukrainian player will play against a representative from Chinese Taipei Joanna Wreath (WTA 117). The match will start with the first kickoff on Court No. 11. The approximate start time of the match is 01:00 Kyiv time.
The best moments of tennis matches LIVE on Telegram channel Tennis on Sport.ua
This will be the first head-to-head meeting between the rivals.
The winner of the second round will compete with either Tailija Kokkinis or Anouk Koevermans.
Attention! The match is broadcast by a third-party service (player), the content of which is not managed or controlled by Sport.ua.
The use of this player is a voluntary and informed decision by the user who accepts all risks associated with the use of this player.
DAY CALENDAR
TOURNAMENT TABLE
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has worked in print and online. I have authored articles for a sports website and have covered sports news for over 6 years.
-
Ligue 13 years agoRenato Sanchez signed in Paris for five years
-
Europa League4 years agoIn transfer alert at Olympiakos for additions and concessions
-
Europa League4 years agoFenerbahce – Eintracht 1: 1: The Germans took 1st place in the Olympiacos group
-
Europa League4 years agoWithout Nainggolan and Samata, the 11th team from Antwerp
-
Europa League4 years agoEuropa League
-
Europa League4 years agoAtalanta announced the acquisition of Boga
-
Europa League4 years agoFears that Zapata will be out for 4 months
-
Premier League4 years agoExcept for the rest of January, Sean was injured