Following a hiatus focused on her mental well-being late last year now Elina Svitolina Returns Strong at Australian Open 2026 Round 2 , Svitolina has successfully reached the third round of the Australian Open, feeling revitalized and ready to compete.
The 12th seed, who was eliminated in the quarterfinals at this venue last year by eventual champion Madison Keys, secured a victory against Linda Klimovicova with scores of 7-5, 6-1 on Wednesday. She is now set to compete against the No. 23 seed, Diana Schnaider.
This victory marks her second of the tournament and comes just a day after her husband, the well-liked French player Gael Monfils, bid farewell to Melbourne Park during his final year on tour. Svitolina supported him from the sidelines on Tuesday as the 39-year-old Monfils concluded his 20th Australian Open campaign with a first-round defeat to qualifier Dane Sweeny.
Svitolina, now 31, shares a three-year-old daughter, Skaï, with Monfils. She had previously declared in late September that she would be stepping away from competition for the remainder of the season.
Prioritizing Mental Health and Resilience
A month prior to her break, the Ukrainian star had expressed distress regarding vitriolic online messages received from disgruntled bettors following a loss in Canada. On Wednesday, Svitolina elaborated on why she needed to step away from the tour, citing mental fatigue as the primary driver.
“It was largely mental,” she explained. “While the physical toll of months of high-intensity play certainly wears you down, I felt mentally disconnected. Sometimes, it is necessary to step back, distance yourself, and regroup to return with renewed energy.”
The time off proved to be exactly what she needed. She arrived in Melbourne fresh off a victory in Auckland, New Zealand, where she claimed her 19th WTA Tour title. Svitolina noted that she feels significantly more refreshed now. “I am prepared to handle challenging moments in matches,” she stated. “The experiences I had in Auckland and here have shown me that even when things aren’t going my way, I am ready to accept the challenge, dig deep, and fight for the win.”
Playing for a Greater Cause
A major source of motivation fueling her return is her desire to keep the spotlight on the plight of the Ukrainian people following the Russian invasion.
“My goal is to represent our country properly,” she said. “We must use our voices to attract attention and assistance, ensuring that the situation in our homeland is not forgotten.”
Svitolina boasts an impressive career record, having reached a ranking as high as World No. 3. Her resume includes semifinal appearances at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, along with three trips to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.
Balancing Tennis and Family Life
As expected, much of the dialogue between her and Monfils over the coming days will focus on her upcoming Friday match against Schnaider.
“It is hard to avoid discussing tennis when we are both competing at such a high level in the same event,” she admitted. “While tennis dominates our lives at the moment, as time moves on, I am uncertain what the future holds—but I am confident we will enjoy it together as a family.”
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
