AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 29, 2026

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/E. Svitolina

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Obviously a tough one out there today, but you had a fantastic run through this tournament. If you could, just in a few words, give your thoughts on the match today and then just the tournament as a whole.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, I mean, definitely very, very happy with the two weeks here and in New Zealand, as well, winning. Of course, gutted to not make it through tonight, but yeah, of course it's very difficult when you're playing World No. 1, who is really on fire.

Yeah, it was really complicated for me today, but yeah, I just want to take positives from the past weeks, the beginning of the year, and just carry them through for the season.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. A great tournament. You had been so great on the second-serve returns throughout the tournament, and you weren't just as efficient at that, especially in the first set tonight. Was that something about Aryna's second serve that was difficult, or was it you were just off, you felt like, in that opening?

ELINA SVITOLINA: To be fair, I thought I was returning today also quite well. I think my serve was not great at all.

I think I was returning good, but then her second shot was unbelievable. She was returning well, quick, and then she had another punch coming, the second shot after her serve.

So, I mean, that's why she's World No. 1.

Q. You said she was on fire today. In general, how do you feel about your performance? How much more did you feel you could, I guess, pressure her when she's in that form?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, I thought a little bit I could play better. I played good tennis. I wouldn't say that the score shows what it was. I think I could still hold a couple times more on my serve.

The serve was not as good as I wanted to be, so I could put a bit more pressure on her, because I feel like when she was starting to serve each time of the set, she's always, you know, ahead. Okay, I was 2-0 up, but then she came back quick.

So, yeah, I was not putting enough pressure on her with my serve, so of course, you know, when you play players like that, you don't have too much time to waste. Of course we are in the late stages of the tournament, so, you know, everybody is super focused, super ready.

Yeah, I mean, these small things, I wish, you know, I could play better, but yeah, don't want to too much focus on these things. You know, I think I played good tennis today and for the past three weeks.

So I just want to take these positives and, yeah, move forward.

Q. On those positives, what were you happiest about with your game over the past few weeks and with the wins you were able to get?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think my movement have been quite well. I think I was adjusting to different game styles of the players. I think I was playing well with, yeah, different styles, adjusting my game, adjusting, you know, my footwork.

Yeah, just, you know, I feel I'm in a good form. I think I can definitely draw some confidence and, yeah, look forward to the upcoming tournaments. We're just two weeks or maybe three weeks in the year.

Yeah, of course there are few things that I want to improve, I want to do better, to play and to really challenge, you know, these kind of players, the top players.

I feel like I'm not too far in the lane some moments, but still, it's still lots of work to do and lots of things to improve.

Q. You mentioned that she was on fire tonight. Can I get you to sort of explain that even further? Just how impressive was her level? If you look at the numbers, 24 winners, 12 unforced errors, she's playing so big all the time. How difficult was it to play against her? Is this as well as she's ever played?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think tonight, I mean, we played a couple of times, so I knew a little bit what to expect.

I thought my level was quite good, as well. But yeah, I feel like she feels very comfortable here on those courts. Of course won here a couple of times, so I think she has this confidence playing here.

For some things that I thought that they could work tonight, they didn't really work, or, you know, less than I expected.

As I mentioned, I wish I could put a bit more pressure with my serve, but I think she had answers on everything today.

I watched a couple of her matches earlier rounds. It was a bit different, but it was different player. I mean, I think today she played really well, with no drops, also.

So yeah, I mean, I tried my very best and put intensity and really trying to find these opportunities. Yeah, it didn't happen.

Q. Something away from Melbourne about Serena Williams. There has been a bit of conversation about whether she might come back to the sport. Wondering what you would think? Someone of her standard, if she did come back, what it would mean for sport?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Oh, really? Wow. I didn't hear that.

Q. Well, she's kind of refused to rule out, but she's back in the...

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, I think it would be amazing for the sport, definitely. She's such a great champion and achieved so much, did so much for our sport and been an inspiration for women around the world.

So it's going to be a great story, for sure.

Q. You really seem like you have such a good spirit even after a tough loss. Is that something that you sort of wanted to have going into this year after the end of last year, sort of burned you out? You sort of said to yourself, I'm going to just have a great attitude towards this?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, of course I think I'm still disappointed that I didn't go further, but I feel like I should not be allowed to really be sad. I have a great position.

Firstly, not just as a person perspective, I have this amazing opportunity to play on center court here, represent my country, to do it in a decent way, and to have opportunity, you know, to use my words and just be there for my people.

I feel like for the past weeks, they have been really carrying me through with great vibes, with great emotions, and for me, this is something that really motivates me.

You know, without any doubt, it's something that when I wake up in the morning, I see of course terrifying news, but then I see people watching my matches. They write comments, and they are really -- I think it's like a big exchange of positive emotions.

So I cannot complain, you know, that people really living horrible and terrifying life in Ukraine, so I should not be allowed to really be sad, because I'm a very, very lucky person.

Q. A little bit of a follow-up to that, you talk about how I guess the people of Ukraine have driven you and hopefully you have inspired them. The material impact that you have been able to have because of this tournament, I know you have previously donated prize money or you have been able to be ambassador for several different organizations. What has this run in the tournament done for you and I guess done for Ukraine in terms of what you have been able to give back over the course of this?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think it was all about the little, happy moments that we shared together. You know, I was able to play well. I was able to, you know, send little messages back to Ukraine. There is lots of people who are following the matches and supporting me.

I think this exchange of positivity is something that helps people. That's what I get the feedback from them, and for me is something unbelievable. Yeah, I tried to do what's in my power, what's talking, you know, to my heart for them, as well.

It can be through my foundation or through the fundraising platforms, different ways, but for me, it's important, because I also know when I go back to Ukraine, I see people are really stuck in the routine. You know, it's dark days, gray days with so much negativity.

So I think sports, in general, for Ukraine really unites us as a people and unites us with these great emotions. You know, I think it's much needed for our country.