ROLAND GARROS

June 2, 2026

Elina Svitolina

Press Conference

M. KOSTYUK/E. Svitolina

6-3, 2-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Elina, obviously a tough match today, but can you look back at this week at Roland Garros as well as Rome and be proud of yourself for your clay season?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, definitely a really great couple of weeks and proud of the effort of, yeah, everything that I've done last few weeks. Yeah, of course, I think, yeah, picked up a good level and very happy with that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Tough one today. What do you think went wrong from your side on that match? Was it more what was she was doing well, or did you feel maybe it wasn't your best day out there?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think the level was pretty high. I mean, things happen sometimes in a match. Take a little turn downhill for me in the third set, but all the credit's to her. She picked up a great level. I think it was really, really high level throughout the match.

In a way, I didn't have a good start at the beginning, but then I think we played good rallies, yeah, good level. I mean, in a way she maybe played more aggressive in towards the third set.

Yeah, that's I think the only difference was and served better on 3-2.

Q. Marta's game seems to have become so much more confident in the past few years, especially when she's front-running. I'm wondering if you saw that today, you mentioned that aggression, and how she's maybe evolved over the years and what you have seen from her from that perspective?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, I mean, obviously, in a couple of weeks that she won Madrid and really had a flawless kind of the spirit of time with so many wins.

Yeah, I think she's playing really, really high level and, yeah, deserves all this wins, deserves all the titles around the beginning, and then winning Madrid and, yeah, this great streak.

Of course, you know, that it's normal that you get a lot of confidence and play very free, you know, in a way. So, yeah, it's great what she does.

Q. Marta spoke afterwards about Ukraine and what it means to the people there. I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on that? Obviously a huge moment for Ukrainian tennis.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, I think it's amazing too for so many great players, and of course, you know, I was playing in quarters here. And I hope many more opportunities that we can get to play, and hopefully, you know, maybe one time I get revenge as well (laughing).

Yeah, I mean, right now I feel like, you know, it's nice to have somebody who is also -- you know, we are very close in the ranking.

Yeah, I feel for Ukraine it's a big inspiration for the next generation. I think this is great for sports in general in Ukraine. That's amazing.

Q. You've had such a good season pretty much since the beginning of the season, so consistent. I'm wondering what's your level of satisfaction and pride with that versus how much you still want even more? Like, what's your sort of level of, yeah, satisfaction at this point?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Well, I spoke little bit on that before the beginning of Roland Garros that, you know, I have I think less years in front of me than behind.

I feel like I give my everything every tournament. Right now, I also like having the perspective that I'm a mom now, and I need to take really all the opportunities that I get.

Yeah, I feel that, yeah, just give 100% every single match. If sometimes doesn't go my way, okay, it's fine. Of course, I'm upset, you know, in a way, which is normal, I think a human thing, but I will try better next time.

Q. Tough one today. Obviously last night was a terrible night in Ukraine. Were you awake as that was going on, or did you go to sleep early ahead of the match? I'm just curious. Unfortunately, there have been so many terrible nights, but last night are you asleep when that was going on? Do you find out about all the killing and all the damage this morning when you woke up? Just sort of how did you experience all of that?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, I went to bed quite early, because I had to be here quite early to warm up. Yeah, found out early in the morning. Yeah, I have a couple of friends that, yeah, told me about it, who are there.

Of course, it's very sad and very heavy, you know. But yeah, there are people that died last night. Yeah, just very sad that we all have to, you know, really put up with this heaviness and pain every single day and scared moments not knowing what's going to bring the next day for our family, for our friends, and for Ukraine in general.

The massive attacks, of course they are heavy for everybody in Ukraine and for all the Ukrainians, so yeah.

Q. To follow up on that, are you going to be at the match to support Marta or the semifinal? Will you be in the crowd?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Sorry? If I will be in the crowd?

Q. In the crowd to support.

ELINA SVITOLINA: No, I have to get back to my daughter. I mean, I haven't seen her in the past few months because of playing well. Yeah, I have to go back to my daughter, because after I have to prepare for grass court.

But I will be watching the match and definitely cheering for her hopefully that she can get the title. I think it's going to be massive for Ukraine.

Q. You spoke about the challenges of being a mother and the time that you spent away from your daughter while you were coming back. Can you detail some of that, and what has been the hardest part of coming back as a mother? Also, in that context, if you can understand what Serena is doing and coming back after such a long time away from the sport?

ELINA SVITOLINA: I think for me the challenges were to get the mindset back. When you are training, it's one thing. When you are feeling good, it's one thing. Then when you are match-ready, it's different kind of pressure, it's different kind of, you know, just mindset that you go into the matches, the pressure situations.

This was the most challenging for me, but then with winning in Strasbourg in that time and picking up a good level here really gave me, you know -- put me back on the track.

Yeah, Serena, it's a very unique situation. You know, she is like Roger. Maybe not play for a year or something and then just go and, yeah, play unbelievable. I think it's just a different, different level of GOAT (laughing).

So I'm really excited, actually, for her to come back. I think it's a great story and very inspiring for all the moms around the world as well. So, yeah, it's cool.