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Tennis News –
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina spoke to BTU.ORG.UA about her first-round match at the Australian Open, her switch to a new racket, and the unwavering support of fans in Melbourne.Exclusive: Elina Svitolina discusses her return to competition, a new racket, and strong support at the Australian Open - Elina, this was your first official match since undergoing leg surgery just a few months ago. Were you nervous about your physical condition going into the match? "I was a bit nervous, but once I stepped on the court, I pushed aside any thoughts about the injury or what might happen. It was crucial for me to focus on my game plan and what I needed to do on the court. Even in the second set, when doubts started creeping in, I concentrated on my performance. That approach helped me secure the crucial break at 4-4 after a long game. I'm really happy I managed to stay steady and balanced throughout the match." - How would you assess your first match of the season? The tempo was high, with plenty of long rallies. It seemed like a confident performance. What’s your take? "As I mentioned, I played consistently today. I haven’t competed since September, so I’m thrilled to have found my game. Training has been going well, though my exhibition match didn’t go as planned. That’s normal—when you face a top-5 player, they don’t give you time to settle. It was a wake-up call, showing me where I needed to improve. Today, I’m happy to have played at a level good enough to secure the win." - Many were surprised by your decision to switch rackets after nearly a career-long partnership with a major brand. What qualities were you looking for in the new racket - more control or power? "There have been many questions about the racket, and I’m very excited about my partnership with Diadem Sports. They approached this collaboration very thoughtfully, assigning a specialist to fine-tune the racket to my preferences. Even half a gram makes a big difference, so we spent a month finding the right balance. Sometimes the racket felt perfect for baseline rallies but not for serving—or vice versa. Diadem handled everything professionally and quickly, creating a racket I absolutely love. It’s slightly different from my Wilson, but Diadem uses a special material inside their rackets, something only a few brands do. Larger companies avoid it because it’s expensive, but smaller brands can offer this feature. It reduces vibration, which is great for protecting the shoulder and elbow. We’re also working on developing a personalized line, which is an exciting project. I’m thrilled about our collaboration because I genuinely feel they’re doing everything to ensure I’m comfortable on the court. That sets them apart." - In the second round, you’ll face Caroline Dolehide, whom you’ve never played before. What do you know about her game? "I’ve never played or trained with her, but I’ve seen her matches a few times, so I have a basic understanding. I’ll discuss her game with my coach. I have two days to recover physically and work on my strokes and serve. She has a very strong serve, so I’ll need to be effective on returns. We’ll create a game plan and prepare accordingly." - In recent years, Ukrainians have shown strong support at the Australian Open. How was it this year? "Yes, I saw many flags and Ukrainian fans in the stands today. It’s amazing that they came to support me—it means a lot. Last year, I met with our local community, and it was such a warm experience. Every time I come to Melbourne, I’m grateful to see so many Ukrainian flags so far from home. I hope even more fans will join us in the stands in the coming rounds."  Serhii Kontorchik for BTU.ORG.UA Фото: Арата Ямаока / Tribuna.com. |
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