Elina Svitolina has spoken about gender equality in tennis, noting both progress and areas needing further attention. Her comments came during a discussion at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Prize Money Disparities
Svitolina stated a desire to see more equal prize money at WTA tournaments. While Grand Slams offer equal pay, she pointed out a significant gap at the 250, 500, and 1000 level tournaments. She acknowledged that some tournaments have already made strides in this area and expressed hope for broader adoption.
She observed that viewership for women’s matches is strong, particularly for semi-finals and finals. Svitolina believes this warrants greater financial recognition for female players.
Scheduling Improvements
Svitolina highlighted improvements in scheduling. She noted that women’s and men’s matches now share night sessions, which she sees as a major step forward.
Preparing for New Opponents
Svitolina described her strategy for preparing to face opponents she has never played before. She watches videos on YouTube and seeks content on players, sometimes even those she has only encountered in passing.
She explained that her coach also conducts extensive research, showing her videos and tactical approaches. This includes identifying patterns in the player’s game and potential combinations. Svitolina indicated this research is more in-depth compared to preparing for opponents she has faced multiple times.
Svitolina on Gael Monfils
Svitolina was asked what she has learned from traveling with Gael Monfils. She described him as a very chilled person who preserves energy, something she has taken note of. Being eight years older than her, Monfils has shared some of his energy-saving techniques.
Svitolina also spoke about Katerina, wishing her a speedy recovery after a match. She noted Katerina’s great wins and tournament performance, acknowledging it was unlucky for her to finish the tournament in that way. Svitolina added that Katerina could take away lots of positives from the event. For herself, Svitolina said it meant more time to recover for her next match.