Elina Svitolina has been one of the standout performers on the WTA Tour in 2026.
Svitolina boasts 28 wins and seven losses so far this season, but more importantly has claimed two WTA Tour titles.
The Ukrainian went all the way in Auckland at the start of the season, and recently emulated that success at the Italian Open in Rome.
Svitolina represents a French Open contender thanks to her current form, which has really caught the eye of former WTA star Kim Clijsters.
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Gael Monfils claimed to have affected Elina Svitolina’s game
Making reference to ATP icon Gael Monfils, Svitolina’s husband, Clijsters said on the Love All podcast: “The way she hits her forehand, she never did that before. At least not as consistently as she is now.
“When she was working with Raemon Sluiter from the Netherlands, there was a big switch that happened with her. You cannot win these big tournaments unless you become the one that is attacking.
“She has great legs, she’s fit, she can play seven three-setters in a Grand Slam if she has to and be completely fine, but if you don’t have the power to compete against these top players, the [Aryna] Sabalenkas, the Igas [Swiatek], the [Elena] Rybakinas, that was her biggest weakness.
“She’s really been able to adjust that, especially with the forehand. With the wheels she has, that combination, once you get into her forehand, you’re under pressure.
“That’s something where I think she’s made the biggest jump in the last couple of years since she had her daughter.
“It’s really interesting to see, but I guess they say, you get wiser as you get older, and I think that happens as a tennis player as well.
“I think she’s fitter if not as fit as before, but I think you also learn from being away from the game, from watching the game on TV, listening to people talk about the sport.
“I know Gael is also her husband, I’m sure having his support, his voice of reason, as a player, also helps a lot.
“She hits with him a lot, we’ve seen videos online of them hitting together, to have that kind of intensity, and speed coming at you from a male player is also helping her when she’s playing players that hit the balls and like a Coco [Gauff] with more topspin.
“These are all things that are kind of working in her favour right now, and it’s great to see.”
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Elina Svitolina’s remarkable WTA return deserves praise
It is indeed an intriguing period for Svitolina, who is currently producing some of her best-ever tennis at the age of 31.
Whether or not she can take that momentum into the French Open remains to be seen, but she deserves immense credit for her return to tennis regardless.
Svitolina is just the third comeback mother with a WTA 1000 title, ironically emulating Clijsters along with Victoria Azarenka, while that Rome success has taken her career titles tally to 20.
| Top rank by year | Year-end ranking | |
| 7 | 2026 | – |
| 13 | 2025 | 14 |
| 17 | 2024 | 23 |
| 24 | 2023 | 25 |
| 15 | 2022 | 236 |
| 4 | 2021 | 15 |
| 4 | 2020 | 5 |
| 3 | 2019 | 6 |
| 3 | 2018 | 4 |
| 3 | 2017 | 6 |
| 14 | 2016 | 14 |
| 15 | 2015 | 19 |
| 28 | 2014 | 29 |
| 39 | 2013 | 40 |
| 112 | 2012 | 156 |
| 232 | 2011 | 269 |
| 487 | 2010 | 498 |
But getting the job done at Roland Garros has constantly proved a step too far in her career, with the Ukrainian reaching the quarterfinals but no further on five occasions.
In comparison, Svitolina has been able to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
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