Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina believes that people are now expecting bigger things from her on the court after an impressive 2023 season.
The 29-year-old remained extremely competitive throughout the last season and started the 2024 season in style as well. In the ongoing Australian Open, Svitolina has already booked her place in the fourth round after securing a thumping win in the round of 32 with a score of 6-2, 6-3 against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic.
The current world number 23 was recently quoted in a report where she stated how people are expecting her to be ‘the same old Elina’.
“When I was coming back, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, was lots of things going on,” she said. “Every match was a big fight. Like, I was probably not the favourite in those matches, because coming back, no one knows what to expect.
“But here now I think more people expect me to be the same old Elina making the second week. I think also with my game, because I’ve been winning the matches quite confident, I think people are now, like, expecting me to be easier in the second week.
16 - Since Roland-Garros 2015 where Elina Svitolina made her first 4th round in Grand Slams, the Ukrainian has made 16 appearances in these rounds, as many as S. Williams; only Keys (18) and Halep (17) have more during this time. Easy. #AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @WTA…
“Yeah, it’s like mixture of everything. In the end, I’m really focused on every single match. I’m focused on my game. I’m happy with the way I’ve been striking the ball. Moving, as well.
“Yeah, just for me another challenge, another opportunity to go far in a slam. Yeah, we’ll see. I have little bit different now perspectives and everything. For me, I just take every opportunity as I can to play my best.”
Svitolina will now face Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in the round of 16 of the Australian Open on Monday.
