AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 25, 2026

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

E. SVITOLINA/M. Andreeva

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Elina, congratulations. Through to the quarterfinals for the fourth time here, I believe. How does that feel?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, it feels great. Yeah, another chance to get to play maybe in semifinal, but very happy with the match. Very happy with the performance tonight.

I think I played and executed the plan very well, so very pleased with the performance.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Elina, well done. Obviously you'll have Coco next, if you didn't know. On talking about preparations for the match regarding the temperatures, I believe the conditions are going to be similar to what they were yesterday with the heat. I know you don't know when and where you're playing. How do you kind of prepare for the conditions when the temperatures are going to be scorching hot?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, well, yeah, I was not thinking about that. I mean, obviously I tried to prepare for this match tonight, and somebody told me, like, few days ago that on Tuesday it would be hot. So I will have to prepare.

I think preparation really starts tomorrow with hydration, with just trying to stay, you know, in the calmer conditions. I think it's important, like, just to be prepared as much as possible.

But we both going to be in the same conditions, so I think it's important just to take this day tomorrow to rest and to be ready for this extreme heat.

Q. You'll be playing Coco. The two of you have had some pretty incredible contests. What do you expect, and what do you need to get right to get to the semifinal that you're hunting?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, I have to speak with my coach about the plan that I have to execute. I think we had some tough matches, tough battles. I think maybe last two were in three sets. I remember we played in the final of Auckland a couple of years back and played also in US Open.

Yeah, we both know each other's game, and I think for me important tomorrow just to work on few things, speak with my coach, and be ready for the extreme heat as well. So I think we'll not only be playing against each other but also against the conditions, I think.

Q. In the hot conditions, do you have a preference either way about playing under daylight or playing under the roof?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, of course it's nicer to play later in the day, but I don't have a say on the scheduling. I think they will have maybe one day match, one night match. I don't know how it goes.

But, yes, it's of course better to play in the evening. It's much nicer. Of course, still the ball is flying quite a bit because of the heat, but yeah, it's going to be fine either way.

Q. What would it mean to you to make the semifinals, considering you've been quarterfinals three times now? What would it mean for you to take that step?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Of course, it will mean a lot to me, but I don't want to think too much about it. It's, like, another opportunity for me to go far in the tournament.

I want to focus on my recovery. I want to focus on my game plan that I have to execute well. I think right now this is the priorities for me.

Of course, if I play well, if I can do things right, I can have a chance to win next match.

Q. What is it about your game right now this year that gives you the confidence this can be the one where you take one, two more extra steps?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think we had a good preseason. We worked on few things. We worked on few tactical things. I think it was important also for me to analyze what I did well in the year in 2025 and try, you know, to find how I can improve. Few tactical things as well that we saw.

I think we worked with some statistics to see where I can improve on my serve, on my return, and in general in my game.

That really, like, opened my eyes a little bit on few things, and I tried to work on those. I think it's working so far, but the year is long, so I have to keep going. I think the priority is still staying fit.

Q. So in your match against Mirra, on points on her second serve you won 15 of 20, so 75% of them. Was that something you knew coming in that you could take advantage of? I guess just talk about how that was a key way to get the straight-sets win.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, it was important for me to put pressure, because if I let her to take the advantage in the rally, she can strike the ball really well, and she knows how to win matches, to win tournaments.

For me it was important, yeah, just to try to take the advantage first and try to find a way, because she's a very tricky player. She mix up the pace, the length of the ball, so you have to adjust really quick, and you have to make these split-second decisions to either go or try to direct the ball in the right place.

Q. Earlier today Oleksandra Oliynykova made some more comments about the war and about being unhappy that Aryna Sabalenka has big endorsement campaigns. Do you have any view on the Russian-Belarusian players having endorsements, having ongoing participation on the tour?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Oh, well, I have nothing really to say about that. Yeah, actually I don't know what she said, so I'm not really aware of that.