Elina Svitolina jokes about not being Skai’s priority and why she wants Gael Monfils to ‘stay at home for now’
Elina Svitolina is having the time of her life at Wimbledon, but her baby daughter Skai and husband Gael Monfils won’t be joining her in London should she make it to the final.
Four years after reaching her maiden Grand Slam semi-final at SW19, Svitolina booked another last-four spot at Wimbledon with a stunning victory over four-time Grand Slam winner and reigning world No 1 Iga Swiatek.
But a lot has happened in those four years as back in 2019 the Ukrainian found herself as high as No 3 in the WTA Rankings, but she went on maternity leave last year and gave birth to her first child, Skai, in October.
When she made her return in April, she was ranked outside the top 1,300 and needed wildcards to enter tournaments. However, she has repaid the faith as she won the WTA 250 Internationaux de Strasbourg before reaching the quarter-final of the French Open.
The 28-year-old is now set to return to the top 30 following her success at Wimbledon.
Svitolina, though, has had to do it alone in London as her husband and daughter are watching from home.
After her win over Swiatek, she had the traditional FaceTime session with her family, but Skai wasn’t really interested in talking with her mother.
“She’s with Gael right now at home. I was FaceTiming with her just right after the match actually,” the Ukrainian revealed.
“She was really distracted with her ice cream, so I was not the priority there (smiling). She is still at this age when she doesn’t care if I win, if I lose. She’s just happy by herself or sometimes when I come back home she’s happy, too.
“I enjoy seeing her happy with Gael. Our moms are helping us a lot, as well. It’s great that we have a big family and lots of help.”
Her victory over Swiatek was her fourth over a major champion at the grass-court Grand Slam this year as she also defeated Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka.
She will take on Marketa Vondrousova for a place in the final, but will we see Gael and Skai in her players’ box should she make Saturday’s showpiece match?
“I wouldn’t want to change so much the things. I’m not really superstitious, but I don’t want to jinx few things (smiling),” she said.
“He’s happy at home. He’s watching from home with Skai and with my parents, as well. He has his routines as well before my match. He’s also right now recovering and getting ready for the US swing.
“It’s okay. I let him stay at home for now.”
READ MORE: Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils share baby Skai’s first TikTok and cute parenting pictures
