Ukraine's most successful female player whose resilience on and off the court is an inspiration.
Elina Svitolina was born on 12 September 1994 in Odessa, Ukraine. She turned professional in 2010 and became Ukraine's most successful female player, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 3 and winning multiple WTA titles including the prestigious Dubai and Cincinnati events. She reached the Wimbledon and US Open semi-finals multiple times but has not reached a Grand Slam final. Married to French player Gaël Monfils, she returned to tennis after the birth of their daughter in 2023. She has been vocal about the conflict in Ukraine and refuses to shake hands with Russian players.
WTA Finals 2018
She refuses to shake hands with Russian or Belarusian players on court as a stance on the conflict in Ukraine — a principled position that has sparked global debate.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- WTA Finals 2018
- Wimbledon Semi-finalist 2019
- Wimbledon Semi-finalist 2023