It will be another blockbuster match for Elina Svitolina at the ASB Classic on Thursday and even if she’s going through the toughest draw possible, she has celebrated being in New Zealand for the first time by getting a tattoo.
The Ukrainian has to back up defeating Caroline Wozniacki 6-4 6-3 on Tuesday by taking on another grand slam champion, Emma Raducanu in the second round on Thursday night.
There is the potential she could face Coco Gauff in the final, so if Svitolina’s wish was to have as many tough matches as possible before the Australian Open, she’s come to the right place.
But it was also the right place for her to get a tattoo, so she visited a parlour in Auckland this week to get one done.
“It’s a new country for me and I heard so many great things about the tattoos here in New Zealand,” Svitolina said.
elisvitolina/ Instagram/Stuff
Elina Svitolina, who is playing at the ASB Classic, has a tattoo which pays homage to her home nation of Ukraine.
“So I thought it’s a good place to get a tattoo. It’s a Ukrainian symbol, but I decided to get it here. I designed it myself.”
Svitolina said she didn’t know where to go to get the tattoo done, so turned to the internet.
“I just googled it, for the good reviews,” she said.
“It was a really nice place. The tattoo artist was super nice and it took a couple of minutes.”
The tattoo is of the lefter ‘Ï’ and on her Instagram story she explained the significance of it.
“I begin the year with a significant tattoo,” she wrote.
“This written symbol ‘Ï’ possesses crucial meaning to Ukraine, acts as a charm for Ukrainian prosperity and represents the idea of Ukrainian independence.
“Additionally, the name of my daughter Skaï incorporates this symbol, thereby enhancing the strength it holds.”
Svitolina and her husband, Gael Monfils have been in New Zealand since just after Christmas and they’ve both been enjoying their time in the country.
elisvitolina/ Instagram/Stuff
Elina Svitolina explained on Instagram the significance of her new tattoo.
On court, it’s been a great way for Svitolina to start the year and her match against Raducanu will have a similar feel about it to any big match she’ll play in Melbourne later this month.
Like her match against Wozniacki, it’s another one that would likely be put on a centre court if it happened a grand slam and it will get prime time billing at the Classic on Thursday night.
Svitolina is the favourite. She has been on the comeback trail, after giving birth to her daughter for longer, while this is Raducanu’s first tournament since having operations on both of her wrists and an ankle last May.
But it’s also a great match for Raducanu. Had she lost to Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the first round, her critics would have come out again, repeating their claim that her 2021 US Open victory was a one-off.
If she beats Svitolina, it’s a statement win for her and also the biggest victory since defeating Leylah Fernandez in that US Open final. If she loses, it can be seen as just part of her return to the sport after eight months away.
Dave Rowland/Getty Images
Elina Svitolina has another blockbuster match ahead of her, when she plays Emma Raducanu in the second round.
“I think it’s great I get to play Elina Svitolina,” Raducanu said.
“She’s been at the top for so long in the game, she’s dominated. She’s obviously a great fighter and competitor.
“She came back after the break just full on and made the semis of Wimbledon. So I’m really up for it, I’m looking forward to it and for me it’s a match where I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Both players enjoyed their first round matches on Centre Court and the unique atmosphere the stadium has.
“It’s super intimate,” Raducanu said.
“I really like this court in terms of the scenery and how it looks. It’s very picturesque. I like being close to the fans and it’s a lot nicer than some stadiums which are a lot bigger where you’re really far away from the front row.
“It’s a really cozy feeling and I think the venue here is great. I love playing here, practising here. All round, it’s a great tournament.”
Svitolina echoed those sentiments.
“It’s definitely nicer. I don’t like it so much when you’re so far [away] and you feel like you’re alone there,” she said.
“It’s a different experience but it’s really nice here, when the crowd is close it’s a much nicer atmosphere. You can hear them engaging and even when I put my towel [down] the people are just sitting there.
“It’s nice for the players and fans as well, so I prefer this.”
AT A GLANCE
Thursday Order of Play
STADIUM starts at 12:00 PM
- Yue Yuan (CHN) vs [7] Petra Martic (CRO)
- [1] Coco Gauff (USA) vs [Q] Brenda Fruhvirtova (CZE)
- [Q] Lulu Sun (SUI) vs [8] Varvara Gracheva (FRA)
- [WC] Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs [2] Elina Svitolina (UKR)
- [1] Marie Bouzkova (CZE) / Bethane Mattek-Sands (USA) vs Paige Hourigan (NZL) / Erin Routliffe (NZL)
GRANDSTAND starts at 03:30 PM
- [WC] Monique Barry (NZL) / Elyse Tse (NZL) OR Jade Otway (NZL) / Lulu Sun (SUI) vs [4] Jessika Ponchet (FRA) / Anna Siskova (CZE)
