Elina Svitolina Biography: Elina Mykhailivna Svitolina born September 12, 1994) is a professional tennis player from Ukraine. She has achieved a career-high WTA ranking of No. 3 in singles and No. 108 in doubles. Over her career, Svitolina has secured 18 WTA singles titles, highlighted by her victory at the 2018 WTA Finals, and has reached the semifinals in Grand Slam singles on three occasions.
Elina Svitolina Biography
Elina Svitolina is a Ukrainian professional tennis player celebrated for her grit, mental toughness, and elite-level skill. Born on September 12, 1994, in Odesa, Ukraine, she has risen to become one of the leading figures in women’s tennis. With a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3, Svitolina has captured 18 WTA singles titles, including the prestigious 2018 WTA Finals. Her journey is defined by major victories, personal milestones, and a growing influence both on and off the court.
Elina Svitolina Biography 2025 Details
Native name | Еліна Михайлівна Світоліна |
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Country (sports) | Ukraine |
Residence | Monaco Odesa, Ukraine |
Born | 12 September 1994 Odesa, Ukraine |
Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Turned pro | 2010 |
Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Coach | Andrew Bettles |
Prize money | US$ 26,066,367
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Category | Tennis Players |
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About Elina Svitolina
Elina Mykhailivna Svitolina is a Ukrainian professional tennis player. She reached career-high rankings of world No. 3 in singles and No. 108 in doubles by the WTA. Svitolina has won 18 WTA Tour singles titles, including the 2018 WTA Finals, and has reached three major singles semifinals.
Elina Svitolina Achievements
She entered the WTA top 50 in July 2013, broke into the top 20 by June 2015, and made history in May 2017 by becoming the first Ukrainian woman to reach the top 10, overtaking fellow Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko. After claiming her first WTA title in 2013, she added three more titles by 2016. Her breakthrough year came in 2017, when she captured five titles, including prestigious Premier 5 events such as the Dubai Tennis Championships, the Italian Open, and the Canadian Open.
Elina Svitolina Wiki
- Born: 12 September 1994 (age 30 years), Odesa, Ukraine
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Height: 1.74 m
- Parents: Olena Svitolina, Mikhaylo Svitolin
- Siblings: Yulian Svitolin
Early life and background
Elina Svitolina was born in Odesa, Ukraine, to parents Mikhaylo Svitolin, a former wrestler, and Olena Svitolina, a former competitive rower. She has a Jewish grandmother. Her name was inspired by the renowned Soviet actress Elina Bystritskaya. Svitolina has an older brother named Yulian. As a child, she noticed her brother receiving a lot of attention for playing tennis, which motivated her to take up the sport at age five in an effort to gain her father’s attention.
When she was 13, Svitolina and her family relocated to Kharkiv after businessman Yuriy Sapronov, who had seen her play at one of his children’s tournaments when she was 12, decided to sponsor her. His support helped advance her training and professional career. Although she officially resides in Kharkiv, Svitolina trains abroad, which limits her time in both Odesa and Kharkiv. She also maintains a residence in London.
Quick Facts
Attribute | Details |
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Full Name | Elina Mykhailivna Svitolina |
Date of Birth | September 12, 1994 |
Place of Birth | Odesa, Ukraine |
Nationality | Ukrainian |
Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Playing Style | Right-handed, two-handed backhand |
Career Prize Money | Over $25.5 million USD |
Net Worth (2025) | Estimated at $10 million USD |
Family | Parents: Mikhaylo and Olena; Brother: Yulian |
Spouse | Gaël Monfils (married July 16, 2021) |
Children | Daughter, Skai Monfils (born October 15, 2022) |
Languages | Ukrainian, Russian, French, English |
Charitable Roles | Founder of the Elina Svitolina Foundation; Ambassador for United24 |
Family Background
Elina was introduced to tennis at the age of five, inspired by her older brother, Yulian, and driven by a desire to earn her father’s attention. Her parents—Mikhaylo, a former wrestler, and Olena, a competitive rower—fostered her athletic ambitions from an early age. In pursuit of better training, the family moved to Kharkiv when Elina was 13, a decision that significantly advanced her development in tennis. Svitolina’s early career was marked by impressive junior achievements, most notably her win at the 2010 Junior French Open, a victory that signaled her readiness for the professional circuit. Throughout her formative years, her father played an active role in guiding her training and athletic discipline.
Professional Career & Key Milestones
Turning professional in 2010, Svitolina rapidly climbed the ranks of the WTA. Her first major breakthrough came in 2013, when she won her first WTA title in Baku, becoming the first teenager since 2012 to claim a WTA trophy. In 2017, she reached a career-high ranking of World No. 3, a testament to her consistency and performance at the highest level. One of her greatest career highlights came in 2018, when she won the WTA Finals, defeating Sloane Stephens in the final. Known for her strategic, counterpunching game and mental resilience, Svitolina has earned a reputation as one of the most determined players on the tour.
Major Achievements
- WTA Finals Champion (2018): Triumphed over Sloane Stephens to win the year-end championship.
- Olympic Bronze Medalist (2020): Made history as the first Ukrainian tennis player to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.
- Grand Slam Semifinalist (2019): Reached the semifinals at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
- Career-High Singles Ranking: Attained World No. 3 in 2017.
- WTA Title No. 18 (2025): Captured her 18th career title by winning the Open de Rouen, defeating Olga Danilović in the final.
Elina Svitolina’s story is one of perseverance, talent, and dedication. Beyond her accomplishments in tennis, she is making a broader impact through her charitable work and role as a public figure, inspiring both fans and fellow athletes worldwide.
Personal Life and Relationships
Elina Svitolina’s personal life has attracted widespread attention, particularly her relationship with French tennis star Gaël Monfils. The two began dating after Monfils asked her out for drinks following her victory at the 2018 WTA Finals. Their bond quickly strengthened, and the couple tied the knot on July 16, 2021. They later welcomed their daughter, Skai Monfils, on October 15, 2022. Despite the challenges of balancing demanding professional tennis careers, Svitolina and Monfils have consistently supported each other. Monfils has publicly credited Svitolina with helping him rediscover his motivation for tennis during a period when he contemplated retirement.
Charitable Work and Legacy
Beyond her achievements on the court, Svitolina is known for her commitment to philanthropy. She is the founder of the Elina Svitolina Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged children and promoting sports as a tool for personal growth. She also serves as an ambassador for United24, a fundraising initiative launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to support the country during times of crisis. Svitolina’s advocacy and charitable efforts, combined with her athletic accomplishments, have made her a respected and influential figure in the global sports community.
Future Plans and Cultural Impact
Looking ahead, Svitolina remains focused on competing at the highest levels of professional tennis while balancing her role as a mother and public figure. Her recent triumph at the Open de Rouen, which marked her 18th career WTA title, proves that she continues to be a formidable presence on the court. Beyond the game, Elina Svitolina’s impact resonates through her philanthropic work and her role as a cultural ambassador for Ukraine, inspiring fans and young athletes around the world.
Elina Svitolina Net Worth 2025
As of 2025, Elina Svitolina’s net worth is estimated at $10 million USD. Her income stems largely from prize money, accumulated through years of success on the WTA Tour, as well as endorsement deals with major brands such as Adidas and Diadem. Together with her husband, the couple forms one of the most financially successful partnerships in professional tennis, with a combined net worth of approximately $22 million USD.
FAQs
Who is the sponsor of Elina Svitolina watch?
Elina Svitolina has been an ambassador for luxury watch company, Hublot for nearly two years. The Ukrainian doesn’t play with a watch on her wrist, but during trophy ceremonies and off-court adventures she’s often spotted wearing the Swiss brand.
What is Elina Svitolina’s best ranking?
Svitolina’s career-high ranking was No. 3 in the WTA ranking. Another Ukrainian player Dayana Yastremska lost to Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, exiting Roland Garros.
Where was Elina Svitolina born and raised?
Elina Svitolina was born in Odesa, Ukraine, and later moved to Kharkiv with her family when she was 13 years old.
Who inspired Elina Svitolina’s name?
She was named after the famous Soviet actress Elina Bystritskaya.
Why did Elina Svitolina start playing tennis?
She began playing tennis at age five, inspired by the attention her older brother received for playing the sport and wanting to gain her father’s attention.
Who sponsored Elina Svitolina’s tennis training?
Businessman Yuriy Sapronov became her sponsor after seeing her play at a children’s tournament when she was 12.