Svitolina’s season: no health problems and time bombs

• Statistics of the year
• Rating 12/30/19 — 6th place, 5075 points
• Current – 5th place, 5260
• 2 title (MontereyInternational; StrasbourgInternational)
• WTA singles wins/losses: 19/9. Total: 24/13

Elina started the year at the rank of the sixth racket of the world. The main tasks, which were quite within the power, could be defined in several directions: the rise in the rankings, performances at the Helmets and participation in the Olympics. At the beginning of the year, there was one more thing that psychologically could restrain Svitolina. She spent a whole season without victories in tournaments. Winning at any cost is not the most pleasant incentive, but it is extremely necessary.

It was real to climb in the rankings. Consistently strong Barty, Halep and Osaka remained ahead, but it was quite possible to “move” others. The appearance of Kenin in front came as a surprise to many. The position of the American is the first one that you can try to win back next season.

Performances at TBSH in January “did not go.” Elina, after a short “buildup” in the first circles, got on the enchanting Mugurusa. At that time, the Spaniard had almost everything, the Ukrainian was just looking for her game. The failure was also reflected in the following tournaments until March.

The tournament in Mexican Monterey was Elina’s first success in a long period. To be honest, if Svitolina had successfully spent her beloved Dubai or Doha, she would not have gone to Mexico at all. The tournament has a not very high International category (in the intricate BTA system – below a whole pack of different Premiers and approximately at the level of the men’s ATP 250). But the victory on it removed a great psychological burden, after which it was possible to prepare in a good mood for the prestigious Indian Wells and Miami.

which did not take place

Sports have not bypassed the grief of the whole planet. In general, all competitions can be divided into “before and after the start of the pandemic”. The result for Elina is not very comforting. Tournaments are over. The Olympics are postponed for a year. Preparation and form set are destroyed. The rhythm that she entered during Monterey went to zero. Points that could be confidently earned in Miami, but were not added.

After the exit from the lockdown, the WTA announced two important things. Firstly, the points earned in the tournaments of the last season (after the start of the pandemic) remained with the players, regardless of their further participation. The player could not lose them, earn more – easily. Secondly, unlike the men’s tour, the championship race and the final tournament were cancelled. This allowed the players to freely choose the competitions that are convenient for them, not to force the form and not overload the body with training, flights and performances.

Another point that had a positive effect on Elina is her high status in world tennis. As a top player, she got the opportunity to play in exhibition tournaments, choosing the ones that are convenient for her. Exhibitions allowed to gradually gain a playing shape, not worrying about the result at a particular moment.

The end of the season was generally positive. Elina won the second tournament of the season. Strasbourg is also an International level, but there wasn’t much choice: many competitions were simply canceled, because tennis players grabbed every opportunity. Elina went through the tournament confidently, defeating the strong Sobolenko and Rybakina, who at that time scored a good move.

The negative of autumn is a blurry ending. Elina sensationally lost in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros and lost at the start of the hard tournament in Ostrava. The defeat in France is all the more surprising because Svitolina improved her game during the tournament and almost got the right move. But it is not worth demanding from athletes the best physical shape at the end of such a season.

pros

Elina has risen by 1 line in the rating over the season; 2 titles; repetition of the best result at Roland Garros; negative COVID-19 tests.

Minuses

Weak start to the season; another year without major success at TBSH; Quarter-finals – the best result at Premier level tournaments and above.

What’s next

Weak winter season this year may come in handy next year. Of course, he can play better than Svitolin. In some tournaments, it will be enough to go through one round to already increase points and stock. Elina was spared the problems with the coronavirus, she did not receive a blow to her health in the middle of the season and a “time bomb” for the future, like Halep.

If the Olympics do take place, Svitolina may well count on a good performance. Well, once again – perhaps we will wait for the Ukrainian victory at the Helmets?