"Why she was probably so teary": Elina Svitolina injury timing seen as a 'missed opportunity' by Schett and Henman

Monday, 22 January 2024 at 21:00

Elina Svitolina retired from the 2024 Australian Open in tears during the match against Linda Noskova in the round of 16 due to a back injury. Tennis specialists Barbara Schett and Tim Henman commented on the frustration the Ukrainian must be feeling after a missed opportunity.

The current world No. 23 returned to the WTA Tour last year after more than a year away due to maternity. Svitolina has had exceptional performances in her recent Grand Slam appearances, and in Australia, she played only three games in her fourth-round match before concluding the match due to her injury.

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At 29 years old and after becoming a mother, Svitolina remains a renowned tennis player who can defeat any opponent. Last year, she reached the quarterfinals at the French Open and then the semifinals at Wimbledon (where she eliminated the world No. 1 Iga Swiatek). Svitolina advanced to the fourth round with three easy wins in consecutive sets and entered the match with Noskova looking to reach the quarterfinals.

After leaving in tears, commentator Barbara Schett asserted that Svitolina had a good opportunity in this Grand Slam, which increased the frustration due to the injury: “A missed opportunity for Svitolina, that’s why she was probably so teary, not because of her back, but because of that missed opportunity,” said Eurosport expert Schett.

With the upsets of the seeded players, Svitolina's path could have reached the semifinals without facing seeded opponents, where the possibility of the 12th seed Qinwen Zheng appears in a tournament full of surprises: “Against Yastremska, she could have won. That section has opened up beautifully," Schett added.

“I love that there’s upsets and new names popping up, especially in that section of the draw. Of course, you have the world No. 1 Swiatek out, and Rybakina there. We also had Pegula there and they all lost.”

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Former world No. 4 Tim Henman also lamented Svitolina's withdrawal: “Svitolina has been such an inspirational story coming back as a mother and playing great tennis,” he said.

“So frustrating to be playing well at the latter stages of an event and then just to suddenly have that come on. I’ve had that problem before and there’s nothing you can do once you get the shooting pain and you get the spasm, you just can’t move.

“Really frustrating, really disappointing. She speaks wisely that she’s got to take her time and prioritise her health and we hope to see her back playing well at the big events in the future.”

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Elina Svitolina’s retirement from her match at the Australian Open was utterly heartbreaking to watch. With her country still at war, her comeback is the type of story that goes so much deeper than sport. She’s been a source of hope for the brave Ukrainian men & women fighting

4:37 AM · Jan 22, 2024

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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