"It's important to have someone who understands your goals": Svitolina confirms comeback stemmed from Monfils motivation

Elina Svitolina has credited her husband Gael Monfils as one of the big motivators to get back to tennis after watching him do everything possible for his return.

Both were out of action for extended periods last year with Svitolina being pregnant and Monfils battling injuries. The French player spent much of his career injured and he's had to keep himself motivated quite a bit to endure all of that and still continue playing the sport he loves. That fighting spirit is certainly something that Svitolina noticed as well.

It's what kept her inspired as she worked her way back into shape over the winter. She revealed that they pushed each other during that time:

“This winter we both prepared ourselves to come back and compete and it was great because we motivated each other. It's important to have someone who understands your goals."

Her return officially came in Charleston last week where she lost a long against to Putintseva. She then made her way to an ITF event in Chiasso in Switzerland where they live together losing in the second round. Next up is Oieras next week.