Elina Svitolina says taking a break from tennis to mentally recover is already paying off as the Ukrainian now feels "more refreshed" on the court.
After losing in the US Open first round – which at the time was her third consecutive defeat – the world No. 12 only played in the Billie Jean King Cup in mid-September before shutting down her 2025 season. At the time, the 31-year-old revealed that she was "not in the right emotional space to compete."
Since returning to tennis at the start of 2026, Svitolina has been outstanding as she stands at a perfect 7-0 record – she kicked off her year by winning five matches in Auckland and landing her 19th WTA title. Now, the Ukrainian is also off to a great start to the Australian Open after ousting Cristina Bucsa 6-4 6-1 and Linda Klimovicova 7-5 6-1.
Svitolina: I mentally checked out last year… After a break, I'm more refreshed
"It was more mental, I would say. Physical, of course, I mean, with the many months of playing high intensity, of course you get a little bit worn down. But I think mental, it was something that I was more, like, checked out a little bit. Sometimes you need a little bit to step back and try to stay away from it and just try to regroup and be, again, back with new energy," the 31-year-old said following a second-round win in Melbourne over Klimovicova.
Through her opening seven matches of the 2026 season, Svitolina has dropped just one set.
"I can see now that I´m more refreshed," the former world No. 3 added.
In the Australian Open third round, Svitolina will face 22nd-ranked Russian Diana Shnaider. It will be the first meeting between the two.
Heading into the match, Svitolina is the favorite to win, but Shnaider is also coming off an Adelaide semifinal appearance, so it is safe to say that the Ukrainian won't take her next rival for granted.
