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Tennis News –
Ahead of her Wimbledon campaign, Ukraine’s top-ranked player Elina Svitolina spoke exclusively to BTU.org.ua about her recovery after the clay swing, the challenges of transitioning to grass, her first-round match-up, and what it’s like to return to the All England Club this year.Exclusive | Elina Svitolina: "Taking a break was exactly what I needed before the grass season" On taking time off after the clay season: "I had a five-day break. I spent some time with my daughter, and it really helped me recharge. I had played quite a lot of matches over that stretch—the schedule was intense. I performed well during the clay season, but it definitely took a toll on me." "It felt great to switch off for a bit, reset completely, and then start training for grass with fresh energy. Of course, it’s never easy, but sometimes I just need to take those short breaks. They’re essential for my recovery—both physically and mentally—which is my top priority. We have such a packed calendar with tournaments every week, but occasionally skipping an event is the smarter move. It helps you recover and come back fresher for the bigger tournaments." On adapting to grass and preparing for Wimbledon: "I was able to get in some practice on grass a week before the tournament in Bad Homburg, and I played two solid matches there." "The second-round match was a real battle. Unfortunately, I couldn’t convert my chances in the third-set tiebreak. Still, I think it was a decent start to the grass season for me. Plus, the grass in Bad Homburg is quite different—faster than what we see at Wimbledon, where the surface plays a bit slower. You can really feel the difference, and it affects how you move." "I’m trying to look at the positives: I got four extra days to train here after Bad Homburg and adjust to the speed of these courts."  On finding the balance between aggression and consistency on grass: "Now that I’m playing a more aggressive style, I still need to adjust in moments where it’s better to stay patient and play with more consistency. It’s always about striking that balance. Consistency still plays a big role—not just in games, but in individual rallies too. You can take control of the point and then go for something more aggressive. So it’s about maintaining that balance at the right level throughout the match." On her upcoming first-round match against Anna Bondar: "I know what to expect from her. We had a tough match at Roland Garros, and she played really well there. But I’m trying to focus more on the fact that I have more experience on grass. My main goal is to concentrate on my own game—on what I need to do on this surface, which patterns to use. It doesn’t really matter who’s on the other side of the net." "Of course, there are some tactical things I’ll need to pay attention to, but at the end of the day, I have to stay focused on my execution and doing the right things on court." On the record heat forecast for Day 1 of the tournament: "On the one hand, it’s good that there’s no rain in the forecast and that matches won’t be constantly interrupted—that’s always the worst. I’m lucky to be scheduled for the first match of the day at 11 a.m., so it won’t be too hot yet. I don’t think it’ll really affect me much overall. And honestly, I’m just happy we’re expecting some proper summer weather in London—it's always better than rain."  On the new player facilities at the All England Club: "They’ve made some updates to the player restaurant—it’s now a bit more spacious, with more seating available. Wimbledon is known for being quite compact, with a lot of people around, so having more space to relax is a big plus." "They also built a new gym for players a few years ago, which has been great. Other than that, there haven’t been any major changes. They try to keep everything as it is while restoring and maintaining it." "When you’re here, you really feel the history of the place. Everything looks so beautiful, so timeless. It’s just a special atmosphere to be in." Источник: btu.org.ua Фото: Getty. |
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