Playing for Ukraine brings out the best in Svitolina
The Olympic motto is “Faster – Higher – Stronger” and it seems that is the way that world No. 6 Elina Svitolina feels when she dons her country’s iconic yellow top.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Billie Jean King Cup or if it’s Olympics,” Svitolina said. “It’s always something extra and you find this edge to fight more and try to play better.
“Olympics for me is always an important event and I’m extremely proud to represent Ukraine. All the time when we have Olympic year, I look forward to that and I try to prepare as best as I can. For me, it’s very special when I play for my country.”
The 26-year-old, who will head to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as a newlywed having married fellow tennis star Gael Monfils on Friday, stunned Serena Williams at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but this year she has her sights set on the podium.
“The goal, for me, is to get that Olympic medal,” she explained. “I’ll do my best to prepare well and be ready for that. For my country, Olympics is a big thing. They really support you unbelievably when the athletes are competing in the Olympics, so it’s very special for Ukraine and I definitely will do my best to prepare to get that medal.”
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Tennis Event starts on Friday 24 July, with the medal matches scheduled to take place on 30 July-1 August.