Former world number three Elina Svitolina serves in Linz

"I'm really looking forward to returning to Linz. I love playing in front of the Austrian fans and I'm very excited to experience the event after upgrading to WTA 500 status," said the former world number three, who is married to professional tennis player Gael Monfils and who recently caused a sensation on the tour as one of the most successful tennis mums. She made it to the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon grass court classic and reached her last final on the tour exactly one year ago in Auckland, when she only had to congratulate Coco Gauff, the 2019 Linz winner, on her victory after a tough battle. Svitolina, who is currently ranked 23rd in the WTA rankings, would have liked to compete in Linz last year, but had to cancel due to a back injury. Now she is making another attempt. 2013 was the only time the Ukrainian has ever played in Upper Austria. Back then, she reached the round of 16, but was beaten by Carla Suarez Navarro from Spain. Svitolina, who is also considered a national hero in her home country due to her great commitment to her country during the Ukraine war, celebrated her biggest title to date in 2017, when she won the WTA Finals in Singapore. In 2023, she reached the semi-finals of the All England Championships at Wimbledon for the second time in her career. After the birth of her daughter Skai in October 2022, she returned to the tour in spring 2023.
 
"Elina Svitolina is a role model in every respect. She is a strong woman who shows in an outstanding way that you can also be a top tennis player as a mother. Elina is a fascinating figurehead for women's tennis. I am very proud to welcome her to the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2025," says Tournament Director Sandra Reichel, full of anticipation for Svitolina's first guest appearance in Linz in more than eleven years.