Elina Svitolina opens up about the pressure to win, the fear of losing, and learning that a Grand Slam won’t define her worth.
In this episode of Tennis Insider Club, Elina joins Caroline Garcia and Borja Duran for an honest conversation about the expectations that shaped her career—from leaving home at 12 and feeling she needed to win almost every match, to dealing with Grand Slam disappointments and finding a healthier relationship with tennis.
She shares the difficult parts of her comeback after pregnancy, how quickly expectations returned with her results, and why she needed to step away when the emotional weight became too much.
We also talk about life with Gael Monfils, the advice he gave her about winning a Grand Slam, raising their daughter Skai, representing Ukraine, and finding purpose beyond the tennis court.
Elina still believes she can win a Grand Slam. She also believes she can have a great career—and a happy life—without one.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The pressure to win: episode preview
00:40 How Elina started playing tennis
02:25 Junior success and the difficult road to turning pro
05:35 Leaving home at 12 and pressure from her parents
09:15 Changing her mindset and coping with painful losses
11:45 Why a Grand Slam won’t define her career
14:45 Working with a psychologist and Gael’s perspective
17:25 What keeps her motivated
19:30 Ukraine, her foundation, and finding balance beyond tennis
23:50 Pregnancy and uncertainty about returning
25:25 The reality of coming back after childbirth
29:35 How success brought the pressure back
31:20 Becoming a more aggressive player
33:00 When tennis became too much—and taking a break
37:10 Recognizing emotional exhaustion
39:30 Learning to listen to yourself
41:15 Life, love, and training with Gael Monfils
44:45 How motherhood changed her priorities
46:45 Would she want her daughter to play tennis?
50:40 Managing expectations around winning a Grand Slam
52:45 The nerves of watching each other compete
53:50 Her advice for young tennis players
Which part of Elina’s story resonated with you most? Tell us in the comments.
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Hosted by Caroline Garcia and Borja Duran.
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