Elina Svitolina found out she was pregnant just before Ukraine invasion: "It was difficult to bear all of it mentally"

Elina Svitolina is currently absent from the tour in order to focus on carrying her pregnancy to term during a very difficult time for her.

Svitolina announced a few weeks ago that she and Monfils are expecting their first child together and it came a few weeks after she announced a break from tennis. Some have speculated that it might be due to pregnancy and they were right but it's not the only reason. It's been a very difficult time for Svitolina considering what is happening back home.

She explained:

“It was a very difficult time for me. Especially at the beginning of the war. A few days earlier I just found out I was pregnant, and then the war started. It was very difficult to bear all of it mentally. In 5 days I played in Mexico, and then there were two big tournaments in the USA."

She also explained that is she weren't pregnant she probbaly would still not be playing:

“Right now there is no desire in me to pick up a tennis racket again. As soon as the war began on February 24, it was very difficult for me to be on court and play, while watching what all the Ukrainians and those people who defend our country are going through."

Asked about the response in the tennis community:

"I believe that not enough has been done at all. And regarding this issue, too. The statements made by tennis organizations were not good enough. I believe that little has been said in support of Ukrainians. I have been with Ukrainian players many times at meetings with top officials of tennis governing bodies. Unfortunately, they do not fully understand the whole situation of what’s happening in Ukraine, and, unfortunately, they do not want to meet us halfway”.