Elina Svitolina exclusive: Star 'carefree' after 'lifetime' away from Australian Open quarter-finals in her magical run

Elina Svitolina spoke of her wish to be back in the Australian Open quarter-finals after "a liftetime" away. The Ukrainian 28th seed is in the last eight of the women's draw in Melbourne after a spellbinding 6-4 6-1 win over Veronika Kudermetova on Rod Laver Arena, coming back from 4-1 down in the first set to set up a quarter-final clash with Madison Keys, who stunned Elena Rybakina.

Svitolina continues stunning run with win over Kudermetova - Australian Open highlights

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Elina Svitolina said she "wished" to be back in the Australian Open quarter-finals after "a lifetime" away.

The Ukrainian reached the last eight at Melbourne Park for the first time since 2019 as she beat Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.

She will play American Madison Keys in the next round, after the 29-year-old beat sixth seed Elena Rybakina in three sets on Margaret Court Arena.

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Svitolina, the 28th seed in Melbourne, ended her 2024 season prematurely to have surgery on a niggling foot injury that had plagued her for two years. She also took time out to give birth to her first child, Skye, with her partner Gael Monfils.

Now, it seems Svitolina is back to her best. She is on course to reach the same heights as in 2023, when she made the last eight of the French Open, before going one better at Wimbledon, beating Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1 at the time, en route to the semi-finals.

During that Wimbledon campaign, Svitolina became only the third player in the Open Era to defeat four Grand Slam champions in a single tournament, a feat only achieved by Serena Williams at the US Open in 1999 and Justine Henin in 2005 at Roland-Garros.

The world No. 27 dumped out the fourth seed Jasmine Paolini in the third round at the Australian Open, coming from a set down to bagel the two-time Grand Slam finalist in the deciding set.

Svitolina, speaking exclusively to Eurosport's Laura Robson, beamed in delight at the thought of reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open once more - the third time she has done so in her career.

"I wished I could be in the quarter-final, and I put in a lot of hard work," she said.

"I’m very happy with the way my body is reacting after the surgery, and I’ve come back again. Hopefully I can go further.

"I feel like with my surgery and my age, that I’ve been more aggressive, but I have some miles on my feet with all the hard work I did in previous years. I do my best to make rallies shorter. I was not very happy with the start of the match. I wish I could have started better.

"I wanted to have a good feeling again. I wanted to practise my serve because my next match is going to be against a big hitter, so I’m going to have to be ready for that, and I just wanted to feel good."

Triumphant Svitolina says last quarter-final in Australia 'a lifetime ago'

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In her on-court interview, Svitolina admitted the last time she had made the quarter-finals in Melbourne - back in 2019 - felt like a "lifetime ago".

"It was a long time ago," Svitolina said.

"I feel like it was a lifetime ago [being in the quarter-finals in 2019]. So many things happened. Having our daughter, Skye, then surgery. Many things happened, and I’m really pleased with the performance throughout this tournament. Really enjoying this win today.

"I was just trying to fight and put in some fighting spirit. It’s the only thing I can do when things are not going my way, to really put your head down and get back to work. I’m really happy I could come back into the match and win in straight sets.

"I feel like the mental part was big here, to come back again and again after the pregnancy and the surgery. Starting from zero is not easy. For me, it’s a really amazing feeling to go deep in this kind of tournament, and the Grand Slams are always extra special."

Huge shock as Keys downs sixth seed Rybakina - Australian Open highlights

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The Eurosport experts were in awe of the Ukrainian’s resurgence, turning the tide of the match when in the first set - at 4-1 down - things were looking ominous.

"What a match it was," Barbara Schett said.

"She was down 4-1 in the first set, but managed to turn it around. Kudermetova had a bit of a physical problem; she got some treatment on her back, but I love the way Svitolina presents herself on the court at the moment.

"She’s playing so aggressively; she’s so positive, she’s throwing in some variety as well. She’s full of confidence. Not just her, but for Gael Monfils. What a tournament this is for this beautiful married couple. Their daughter Skye is at home and they’re performing well."

Svitolina’s husband, Monfils, was also in action on Monday, in his last-16 encounter with American Ben Shelton, which Svitolina was hoping to sit courtside for after her own match.

"We talk about players who look so comfortable with their team and the coaching relationship, but for Svitolina and Monfils, it’s such an incredible scenario to be playing this well at the stages of their lives," Tim Henman said.

"Both in the same tournament, at a Grand Slam. There’s no stopping them."

Mats Wilander added that being more "carefree" about their tennis has improved Monfils and Svitolina’s games.

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"They’ve both become slightly more aggressive as well," Wilander said.

"Maybe from being that tennis is not everything in their lives now, because Gael is playing more aggressively, Svitolina is definitely playing way more aggressively than she was when she was at her best.

"It’s interesting that happiness off-court can make you a more aggressive player. You’re carefree."

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