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Elina Svitolina will return to maternity leave at the Charleston Open, five months after giving birth to her first child.
Former world No. 3 Svitolina last played competitive tennis at the Miami Open in April 2022, when she announced after the tournament that she would be taking a break from tennis following Russia’s invasion of her native Ukraine.
She and her husband, Gael Monfils, soon announced they were having a baby and welcomed a baby girl, Skye, into the world in October.
Svitolina has always been adamant that she would return to competitive tennis after giving birth to her daughter, and now it’s official as she’s received a whisper entry to the WTA 500 event in South Carolina from April 1-9.
In addition to Svitolina, Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, as well as world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 4 Ounce Jaber, No. 8 Daria Katkina, and No. 9 and defending champion Belinda Benchi They also signed up for a clay court tournament..
Read more: Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils welcome first child: ‘Welcome to the world, little princess’
Svitolina is 28 years old. At the forefront of charity events to support Ukrainians And she will attend the Charleston Open in April and WTA Charities Special Tennis Plays for Peace Pro-Am with proceeds going to Ukraine and the Elina Svitolina Foundation.
“Raising awareness and raising funds for Ukraine is very important to us as a tournament and to our players,” said Bob Moran, tournament director of the Credit One Charleston Open and president of Charleston Tennis LLC.
We are excited to work with Elina, who has a deep and personal understanding of the needs in her home country, to further demonstrate Tennis Plays for Peace’s mission and stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
Last year, the Pro-Am raised $100,000 for relief efforts in Ukraine.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Svitolina acknowledged her country’s raids as a “very sad day” and lamented reports that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to compete at next year’s Paris Olympics.
“This is something you don’t want your enemy to have to deal with,” she said. “It’s a very sad day.”
The Ukrainian added: “It will be very sad and the wrong message will be sent to the world if the Olympics hold on to the decision to place them.” [Russia and Belarus] Under the independent flag.
“I don’t think this is the right decision.”
