Elina Svitolina’s French Open Run Ends, But Her Comeback Story Still Inspires
Elina Svitolina’s Roland Garros campaign may have ended in a tough loss to defending champion Iga Swiatek, but her story is far from over. The 30-year-old Ukrainian has been in impressive form, showing remarkable consistency by reaching the quarterfinals and semifinals at several major tournaments in 2025, including the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Rome.
“I Just Want to Be Happy”: Svitolina on Retirement and Motherhood
After her exit in Paris, Svitolina made headlines with her candid comments on retirement and her future beyond tennis. When asked if she planned to outlast her husband Gael Monfils on tour, she laughed and said, “No 😂… I wouldn’t want to play that long. I want to have more kids. I want to just have a happy retirement.”
Monfils is currently 38, and while Svitolina isn’t planning to play until that age, she isn’t hanging up her racket just yet. Her motivations have shifted — her family, especially her daughter Skai, is now her driving force.
From Comeback to Contender
After giving birth to Skai in October 2022, Svitolina made a steady return to the sport in 2023. She began with a wildcard in Charleston and worked her way up through ITF tournaments like Chiasso and Oeiras. Her patience and persistence paid off — she’s now back among the top players, winning her second post-motherhood title this year in Rouen.
Fighting Spirit on Display
At Roland Garros, Svitolina displayed her trademark resilience, saving three match points against Jasmine Paolini before winning a marathon match 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-1. It marked her fifth career quarterfinal at the French Open, a testament to her mental and physical toughness.
Playing for More Than Herself
“Motherhood has given me a whole new level of motivation,” she said in March. “Now, I’m not just playing for myself — I’m playing for my daughter.” Balancing tour life with parenting hasn’t been easy, but Svitolina has proven it’s possible — and powerful.
The Grass Ahead
With the grass court season approaching, all eyes are on Svitolina to see if she can build on her momentum. One thing is clear: whether she wins or not, she’s already setting an inspiring example — both on the court and at home.
Conclusion
Elina Svitolina’s journey is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about rediscovery, resilience, and redefining success. Retirement may be on the horizon eventually, but for now, the Ukrainian star is writing one of tennis’ most compelling comeback stories.