McIntyre Tennis

Elina Svitolina Talks GEMS Life, Making the Semis at Wimbledon and More

Interview Conducted at the Rogers Cup by Mike McIntyre for Match Point Canada Podcast

Photos by Mike McIntyre

Q: Elina, thank you so much for joining us today. Got to start right off the bat with GEMS Life, which is something that people on Twitter, social media and tennis fans in general seem to have really taken to over the last little while. Can you tell us how did that come about? Whose idea between the two of you and where do you see that going in the future?

Svitolina: Well, obviously the idea was from the most creative person in the relationship. It's a Gael (laughs), but it came up just from the first thing it was because we wanted to share with the fans and try to give something back. And we're doing some stuff that we tried to share with fans and try to do some charity events as well. He helps me a lot with my foundation as well which is amazing. So it's something we want to give back and what we can control and that's it.

Q: And being that you're both two professional tennis players, that must help you both in different ways to bring things out of each other, being that you're such different people?

Svitolina: Yeah, as you say, we are very different. When we're on the court and off the court we have a different mentality. But it's not bad, I think it's just, adapt to our personality that helps me to relax a little bit because you know, sometimes I can be too tough on myself and in the same time I just try to work really hard every time that I go on the court and that's my mentality. That's what helps me to improve I think. And he helps me a lot. Also when I had some injuries it was a difficult time for me, so he knows how to handle it and helped me a lot.

Q: Any possibility down the road of a mixed doubles pairing or is it just too busy with your singles commitments?

Svitolina: For the moment I don't think it's happening for the - at least at the US Open. Maybe next year at Wimbledon, but not so sure because there is a high risk of injury and we try to just to focus on the singles first and then later, I'm sure it's possibly can happen.

Q: Now you mentioned Wimbledon and just recently had the best run you've had so far in your career to Grand Slam making the semifinals there. How much positivity do you take out of that experience at the All-England club?

Svitolina: It definitely was a big step for me. I, I was struggling with my health and it taught me a lot to be patient, to work really hard and try to control what is in my power. And that's what really helped me to play well. And I think it was a good step for me in the right direction.

Q: The WTA Tour seems to be so deep right now in terms of the talent level. I mean if you look at a draw it really any tournament across the board and you're getting first, second round matches, that would be wonderful finals to watch even. How much has the quality of play changed since you came on the tour?

Svitolina: Definitely we’ve had a massive change. Everyone is extremely fit. Everyone is traveling with three, four coaches, which is  - I don't think (happened) before and I think that's why everyone is fit. Everyone is ready, everyone is extremely motivated. So I think this really raises the level and the players are extremely fit. So that's why I think that everyone is very dangerous to play and it doesn't matter which stage of the tournament.

Q: Tennis goes through so many changes. Things like Hawkeye for review, on-court coaching. There are Fed Cup changes that are coming. What's something that you would like to see personally perhaps adjust or change on the professional tennis circuit?

Svitolina: I think so far it's going the right direction. Not so sure about the coaching because - I know the beginning I was already not so sure about this - but I think we’re trying new things. It's important to know and to see how it works and that's how we learn and move forward.

Q: In terms of Canada in particular and the success that you've had here before, both in Montreal making the semis last year and obviously two years ago - you're basically the defending champion here, from your win in 2017 - how much do you enjoy coming here to this country, both in terms of your performance in the tennis and just what you can enjoy outside of the court as well?

Svitolina:  Definitely I have great memories coming to Toronto. It was amazing run for me. Last time was here in Montreal as well. Last year I played some great tennis and I'm enjoying being in Canada and the fans are amazing here. It makes it an extremely special atmosphere anytime you play. And that's why it's really enjoyable.

Q: Last question for you. The last time I met up with you was in New York City at the Tie Break Tennis event a year ago, right when Serena Williams was making her return to the game. And at the time you spoke about how eager you were to face her once again, if you could. That hasn't happened yet. How much are you looking forward to facing Serena Williams at another point here down the road?

Svitolina: Definitely. She's an amazing player and a great champion. So for sure I wanna face players like this to compete against them. And the same I think with with Maria (Sharapova), it’s always an amazing opportunity to play against them.

Q: Thank you very much, Elina, for taking the time with us today on Match Point Canada. We really appreciate it and I wish you all the best the rest of the season.

Svitolina: Thank you.

Genie Bouchard Rogers Cup Press Conference

Genie Bouchard met with members of the press at the Rogers Cup in Toronto on Saturday to speak about her upcoming 12th appearance playing in Canada's premier tennis tournament. She spoke about working with her new coach Jorge Todero, the rise of Canadian tennis in recent years and also of her upcoming match against compatriot Bianca Andreescu who she will face Tuesday night on Centre Court. Here is the entire transcript from today. Check in with us later this weekend on Match Point Canada - the official Tennis Canada podcast - for our exclusive interview with Genie.

Q: You're working with a new coach these days, can you tell us how that came about and then how it's gone?

Genie: Sylvain (Bruneau) actually helped set up this partnership. It's been a couple of weeks now and I really like him. So it's going well. We're trying to change a couple of things, so it's definitely going to be a process. But I think it's the right process.

Q:  In Canadian tennis right now it's been on the rise for the past couple of years. Where do you put it? Where do you look at it and in terms of the talent that's coming up right now and where do you fit in?

Genie: I think Canadian tennis has improved a lot over the past couple years. And just the general excitement about tennis in the country I think is more - from fans watching on TV to the little kids who start playing -  I've heard so many stories that summer camps are all booked up and hearing things like that makes me so happy. I mean to just be any kind of part of it I think is an honor and hopefully it’ll continue like this for years to come.

Q: What are your expectations for Rogers Cup this year?

Genie: Well I'm going to go with my usual answer and say no expectations. Honestly, it's actually just so great to be here. It’s a little bit of a welcome home every time I come through this tournament whether it's in Montreal or Toronto I just really wanna enjoy it, enjoy the atmosphere. I was out around the grounds earlier today and doing some activities and spending some time with some of the fans just, you know, signing and taking pictures and that's a part of what it's all about,

Q: Are you looking forward to playing Bianca?

Genie: Yeah, I think it's hilarious that we play each other. I'm excited. It's actually gonna be fun. I know her well, we’re Fed Cup teammates, so it's hopefully gonna be a fun battle and I hope people enjoy it.

Q: You said with your new coach that it's going to be a process and you're working to change a few things, what in particular are you looking to change?

Genie: I mean I don't want to get into too many specifics, but just a couple of typical things on my shots,  court positioning and keeping in mind the essence of my game and also just putting in a lot of hours. He's very old school, he's Argentinian. So it's been tough. (said with a chuckle!)

Q: Genie, yesterday we had done Naomi Osaka and Bianca at the draw ceremony and Naomi recently admitted that the pressure she's been feeling in particular since the Aussie Open has been difficult for her to deal with. Bianca now is going to have to experience some of that as well as she's had success as well. For someone like you that's been at it for a little bit longer now and seems to sort of roll with all the punches so to speak, what's your secret or what advice might you have for those players that are starting to deal with it for the first time?

Genie: Well, I mean I haven't won two grand slams, so I don't think I'm in a position to give too much advice, but it’s a part of life, you know, and I think the most important thing is to just remember that it's all because of a good thing – it’s because of amazing results. In the past I let myself feel down or negative if I felt too much pressure, but at the end of the day, it's like I feel pressure because of something amazing that I did. Why should I feel sad about it? So those accomplishments that I’ve had or any of those players that you mentioned have, are there forever. So, you know, just enjoy it.

Q: You tweeted recently that you had a dream about Lady Gaga and that you guys chatted for 45 minutes. Can I ask what you guys talked about?

Genie: Um, I think I was in Dubai playing a tournament -  all my dreams I'm always at a tournament, like always. Even if something else is happening, I'm at a tournament site. Yes - tennis has taken over my life. She called because she had this concert and she was inviting me to this concert and we had hung out before, but I was like in Doha or Dubai and I was like, I don't know if I can make it. And then my mom was like, who are you on the phone with? And I'm like, Lady Gaga, you know - like give me - and you're on the phone and I remember like hanging up and seeing like 45 minutes and I was like, All right, this is a cool world to live in.

Q: Have you met her?

Genie: Uh, nope. But I did go to her concert way back in the day.  I don't know why it was her. I mean maybe I saw her for two seconds on TV and then you know how dreams are.

Q: Genie, you've got a first round opponent who’s coming off a long injury layoff. You've had to deal with that yourself. What's the toughest thing about coming back from an injury and for you does it make you approach the match in any kind of way - get into her early, get a leg up against somebody who maybe be a bit rusty?

Genie:  Injuries are the worst part about our sport. And I think, when I come back, the toughest is that competition aspect. There's nothing like real match practices. It's just nothing like the pressure or the tension of a match. I won't approach the match any differently. I know she's a great player and that's what I'm going to expect. And that's it.

Q:  Yesterday you had a cool visit to Sick Kids hospital. And I think for the kids it meant a lot to them, but it seemed like it meant a lot to you. What did that mean to you and what was the best part of being there and just hanging out with them and talking about Harry Potter and being maybe a kid again a little bit?

Genie:  I love, you know, giving back and I visited the children's hospital in Montreal many times and then other cities when we have tournaments there, so to be able to go I was so happy they had me. And if I could inspire one of them yesterday to stay positive and just keep fighting and all the hard work and sacrifices, it's really special to me. I love seeing the kids, they’re so young and energetic and so just to hang out with them, hear about what's cool to them in their life right now. They asked me about some of my experiences, meeting Drake – all of their faces lit up and they're like, oh my God. We talked about Harry Potter, I got like a wand as a gift from hospital and just kind of feeling like a kid, treating them like normal kids because they are and hopefully inspiring them, but you know, they inspire me more than I would ever inspire them.

Q: I know Montreal is your home, but this is Canada, so this is your home tournament. Do the other players ask you for what to do around Toronto and what do you hear from them about this tournament and how this tournament goes?

Genie: I mean it feels like home coming here too. Um, no one's really asked me what to do. I've been busy training, I haven't chatted that much. But I do have a cousin who lives here, and so I always try to go to some cool restaurants or things like that. I think it's a really cool city and I'm not here enough. I realized all of last year, I never came to Toronto, so I’m looking forward to spending more time there.