Elina Svitolina Triumphs in Rouen, Securing First Title Since 2023
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has returned to championship form, claiming the WTA title at the Open Capfinances Rouen Métropole in France on April 20, The Gaze reports, citing Ukrainian media. The final in Rouen marked her 18th career WTA title and her first tournament victory in nearly 2 years.
Her last title came in May 2023, shortly after returning from maternity leave, when she defeated Russian player Anna Blinkova
Svitolina overcame Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in a gripping 6-4, 7-6(8) final, showcasing her resilience and experience. After dropping her serve early in the match, she regained momentum and dominated the key points, particularly in the dramatic second-set tiebreak, where she saved two set points before clinching victory on her fourth match point.
Entering the tournament as the top seed, Svitolina didn’t drop a single set throughout the week, reaffirming her status as one of the tour’s most consistent performers. "It feels great to win here,” Svitolina commented. “The final was tough, but I’m proud of how I stayed focused and played solid tennis.”
Off the court, Svitolina is widely recognized for her humanitarian work. As an ambassador for President Volodymyr Zelensky’s "Bring Kids Back UA" initiative, she advocates for the return of children deported to Russia. Through the UNITED24 platform, she has raised substantial funds to support reconstruction efforts in war-torn cities, including over €240,000 from a charity event – €57,000 of which was allocated to purchase generators for Ukrainian hospitals.
She also supports First Lady Olena Zelenska’s initiative to provide ambulances for frontline areas. Additionally, Svitolina has been a vocal advocate for excluding Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions.
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