Honeymoon on hold, newlywed Svitolina delighted to be in Tokyo
Married on Friday; off to the Olympic Games on Sunday. Few athletes will have prepared for Tokyo 2020 quite like world No. 6 Elina Svitolina - and her new husband, Gael Monfils.
On Friday, one week before the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, the 26-year-old Ukrainian tied the knot with the French tennis star; by Tuesday, both had taken to the practice courts at Ariake Tennis Park. Afterwards, Svitolina admitted her delight at sandwiching two monumental life experiences so close together.
“It’s unbelievable to be fair,” she said with a smile as broad as the shadow of the imposing Ariake Coliseum roof. “So many exciting events in my life. Now it’s so nice to be at the Olympics.
“It was unbelievable to have a wedding and right now, with the Covid restrictions, it was unbelievable to have two families join together. We had an amazing time.
“But now we are here. We have to prepare and hopefully to play well here in Tokyo.”
While some might be easily distracted by the afterglow of getting married, Svitolina is channelling her high spirits into her tennis. The honeymoon, it seems, can wait.
“We are used to having so many competitions in a year so there is no time for resting,” Svitolina said. “Now it’s time to focus on tennis, and the Olympics of course. It’s very special for any athlete to be here. The honeymoon is planned for November!”
Svitolina, who recorded a stunning victory over Serena Williams on her only previous appearance at the Olympic Games at Rio 2016 before falling to Petra Kvitova in the last eight, has high hopes of winning a medal for Ukraine this time.
If she is to succeed, she will need to navigate an extra, unanticipated opponent: the oppressive heat.
“It is extremely hot,” she admitted. “I didn’t expect it to be that humid and hot here. I tried to practice in the afternoon today just to get used to the conditions for the first few days.
“We just arrived yesterday so I’m still a little bit jet-lagged, but I know I have a couple of days to get ready and to be at my best. It’s the same conditions for everyone so I try to prepare well and to be ready for any conditions.”
Even so, and in spite of the challenges faced by an Olympic Games in the current global climate, Svitolina’s excitement is palpable. The Olympic Village is a particular highlight.
“I’m really happy to be here," she said. "It’s a very special event. Finally we are all here. It’s unbelievable to be a part of Team Ukraine. I’m very excited to start the tournament.
“[The Village] is very special. To have different sports, and see other athletes prepare for their events... Everyone’s extremely focussed, everyone’s an extremely hard worker.
“I’m really happy to be one of the members of the Ukrainian team. That’s definitely exciting and hopefully I can help Ukraine to bring another medal.”