The Ukrainian player has not had it easy, but Elina Svitolina made it seem so! Just months after welcoming her daughter, Skai, in October 2022, Svitolina stepped back onto the court in April 2023, her determination and resilience inspiring fans worldwide. She started well out of the rankings due to her absence, but slowly made strides till she clinched the 2023 Strasbourg Open – her first title as a mother! Now coming into the 2025 season, she’s building on that momentum, from making it to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open to now making it into the R3 of the Indian Wells Open. Svitolina is proving she’s not one to stop!

After some tough early exits in Linz, Qatar, and Dubai, Svitolina been making waves at the Sunshine Double. She breezed past her first two opponents and then pulled off a stunning upset over 14th seed Danielle Collins, winning 6-2, 6-4. The match started evenly, but Svitolina quickly took control, winning eight consecutive games to dominate the first set and most of the second.

Collins fought back, saving a match point and serving out the next game, but Svitolina remained cool under pressure. With Collins just two points away from breaking back at 30-30 in the 10th game, Svitolina didn’t flinch and closed out the match. After her victory, the Ukrainian couldn’t help but thank the fans on Instagram later.

Taking to IG Stories, the 30-year-old shared a picture of the court and wrote: “Dear friends in the USA from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your unwavering support Your kindness and solidarity remind me that even in the darkest times, we are not alone.”

With her win, she matched her second-best result at the tournament, a testament to her enduring success here. She also has a special bond with the fans, and this connection was strengthened through her message for their unwavering support – not just for her tennis but also for her country, Ukraine, in the “darkest times.”

Svitolina has been a vocal advocate for Ukraine, speaking out against Russian aggression and supporting initiatives like United24 to help children affected by the war. Her foundation’s work reflects her deep commitment to her homeland. In her message, she said, “Your compassion fuels our hope and inspires us to keep striving for a brighter future together!” Her unwavering spirit is something that resonates with many – even earning a pat on the back from a former ATP pro.

Former American pro applauded Elina’s passion on the court

In January, following a thrilling win over Veronika Kudermetova, where she turned the match around from 4-1 down to win 6-4, 6-1. Reflecting on that match, Svitolina said, “When things are not going your way, put your head down and get back to work. Really happy I could come back into the match and then win in straight sets.” However, Svitolina’s ability to balance motherhood and her tennis career has earned her widespread admiration.

Former pro Andy Roddick praised her journey on his podcast, ‘Quick Served’, noting, “Since she’s come back from motherhood, all she does is make the quarters or further in Grand Slams. She knows how to play in the biggest events, which was a question mark for her before she had a kid.” Roddick also highlighted her mental toughness, saying, “The mental gymnastics that she has to go through with life on a given day to show up and compete the way she is, she’ll forever have our respect.” This newfound resilience was evident in her performances at Wimbledon and the French Open, where she reached the semifinals and quarterfinals, respectively.

Now as Svitolina prepares to face Jessica Pegula in her next match, it’s exciting to see if she could deliver a surprise win. She’s just made a recovery from her previous loss to Pegula at the Qatar Open in February. However, with her impressive comeback and inspiring story, can she pull off an upset? Let us know what you think below!