On Tuesday, Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek will face off at the French Open, requiring the two WTA icons to set their friendship aside for the match.
The current French Open champion Swiatek and Svitolina, who is making her fifth appearance in the Roland Garros quarter-finals, have maintained a close relationship for several years.
This article reflects on the meaningful connection between two of the most accomplished players in recent tennis history.
Svitolina’s Mentorship
Swiatek, rated 54th globally at the age of 19, shocked the world with her triumph at the French Open in October 2020, marking her first WTA title.
Conversely, Svitolina experienced a painful defeat to Nadia Podoroska in the quarter-finals, which was one of the most devastating losses in her career, thwarting her chances for a major title.
Despite this, Svitolina took on a mentorship role, guiding Swiatek and helping her acclimate to the tour in the ensuing months. The two trained together leading up to the 2021 Australian Open, during a time when other players had limited interaction due to COVID restrictions.
Fundraising for Ukraine
Following her bronze medal win at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Svitolina faced challenges with her form while dealing with the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and expecting her first child with husband Gael Monfils.
Meanwhile, Swiatek rose to prominence in women’s tennis, clinching both the French and US Open titles, achieving a remarkable 37-match winning streak, and becoming the world No. 1.
Nonetheless, she demonstrated solidarity with Svitolina and her homeland by organizing a fundraiser for Ukraine in Krakow that July, where Svitolina officiated an exhibition match alongside Polish tennis legend Agnieszka Radwanska, raising €500,000 for various causes.
A Competitive Reunion
After the birth of her daughter Skai in October 2022, Svitolina made a strong return to the sport, facing off against the still-dominant Swiatek in a thrilling Wimbledon match. Despite Swiatek being the top seed and the favorite, Svitolina delivered an impressive performance, winning 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2 to reach her third Grand Slam semi-final.
Post-match, the two shared a heartfelt embrace, with Svitolina praising Swiatek as “an unbelievable person.” Swiatek mentioned their ability to compartmentalize their friendship during their match, allowing them to focus solely on tennis.
Since that encounter at Wimbledon, Swiatek has emerged victorious in their subsequent matchups, including at the 2024 Dubai Championships and the Miami Open earlier this year. As they prepare for their French Open quarter-final clash, anticipate a fierce competition followed by another touching moment once the match concludes.
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