Elina Svitolina Announces Early End to Her Tennis Season to Focus on Mental and Physical Recovery
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina, who has achieved numerous milestones and previously ranked as the third-best player in the world, has unexpectedly announced her decision to conclude her current season prematurely.
Through a heartfelt message posted on her social media, she admitted feeling exhausted and emotionally drained, which hampers her ability to enjoy the game fully.
“Lately, I haven’t felt like myself.
I struggle to maintain the right emotional state and to be in the condition to compete, so I have made the tough decision to end this season early.
Over the years, I’ve come to understand that tennis isn’t about money, fame, or rankings.
It’s about resilience, the will to fight, and giving my all each time I step on the court.
At the moment, I’m just not at the level—mentally or emotionally—to continue competing.
Therefore, I’m giving myself the necessary time to rest, recover, and recharge.
When I return to the court, I want to do so with full dedication, to fight and give the best of myself—for the fans, the sport, and for me,” she shared on her Instagram profile.
The 31-year-old athlete, who once held the world’s third spot and is considered the most successful tennis player in Ukrainian history, recently earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics—the first in Ukrainian tennis history at the Olympics.
Currently, Svitolina is ranked 13th in the WTA standings.
Despite her achievements, she failed to advance to the semi-finals of a prestigious tournament in Canada.
Additionally, Ukraine’s national team recently missed out on reaching the finals of the Billie Jean King Cup, further highlighting the challenges faced by Ukrainian tennis on the international stage.