WASHINGTON, October 14, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
Elina Svitolina has been enjoying success both on and off the tennis court during this pandemic year. She’s won two titles – in Monterrey and Strasbourg – and reached the quarterfinals in three other tournaments, including the French Open.
However, it’s what Svitolina is doing off the court that’s starting to garner as much recognition as what she’s accomplished on it.
“I think during the lockdown, you have to do something different,” the World No. 5 Svitolina from Ukraine said recently. Sure, she was active on social media creating Tik-Tok videos and posting often on Instagram – both her own page and the one she shares with boyfriend Gaël Monfils, g.e.m.s.life. But there was more to her time off tour than just being a social media contributor.
“That’s where I started my SvitFit protein bars,” Svitolina said beaming a big smile.
Btw ..now I will have to make another SvitFit protein bar with my new trophy 🏆 🤔😋 what taste shall I make? https://t.co/4bETuMqkAs
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) September 26, 2020
With an interest in healthy food, Svitolina created The ES Club blog last spring as a forum for sharing simple recipes designed for muscle gain, detox and fat burning. So, launching her own brand of energy bars – SvitFit – seemed a logical extension of her personal brand. This came after Svitolina completed a two-year study program in nutrition and nutritherapy during the summer lockdown of the pro tennis tours because of the global coronavirus outbreak.
Recently, Svitolina spoke to Tennis TourTalk about her off-the-court accomplishments while competing in the Internationaux de Strasbourg, a WTA International event in Strasbourg, France, that served as a tune-up for Roland Garros.
“I have been doing my nutrition for a few years now and I finally finished one month ago,” Svitolina said. She emphasized that it’s important to her to be able to do other things with her life when she’s not 100 percent focused on tennis while competing on the court. Nutrition is an area that Svitolina has found a lot of interest in and as a professional athlete benefits from its positive aspects.
Svitolina finished her nutrition studies during the shutdown.
“The exams were tough. I had to write a lot, which was not easy for me. Lots of typing. So I’m not jealous of you guys to type a lot on your laptops, because, yeah, it can get you.”
Thanks for your concern, Elina 😄 https://t.co/rN5iwPLto1
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) September 14, 2020
“For me it was important to complete and understand all the nutritional points,” Svitolina said. “As an athlete, it’s very important to know what goes into your body, how it affects your performance and how you can get better. It’s very important.
“It took me two years. The [pandemic] break really helped me to get into it even more because I had more free time. It helped me to understand how everything affects your body and mood.
“Towards the end of my studies, I decided I wanted to do a nutritional bar, something healthy,” she continued. “Especially in Ukraine and that part of the world, there’s not as many choices. They need to find something that benefits them and has a good taste.
“I’m very happy to launch SvitFit, an energy brand bar. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing sports or sitting in an office.”
Elina Svitolina has launched her own line of energy bars called „Svitfit“.
Whoever came up with that name deserves a raise. pic.twitter.com/tqrK15ZtbG
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) September 21, 2020
There’s an up-side to it all, too. That’s because the Elina Svitolina Foundation will receive ten percent of all SvitFit sales to help support talented children and to promote the development of tennis in Svitolina’s native Ukraine.
With our almost time up, it seemed Svitolina appreciated the opportunity to talk about more than just tennis. She had one final thought to share about SvitFit.
“Hopefully, people will love it and enjoy it on a daily basis.”
Nadal reflects on winning his 13th Roland Garros title
During his Paris photoshoot with the Coupe de Mousquetaire on Monday, Rafael Nadal reflected on what it meant to win his 13th French Open men’s singles title.
💬 We met @rafaelnadal on the roof of Paris to speak about his 13th victory at Roland-Garros, his 20th Grand Slam in career. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/hPszO5IenS
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 13, 2020
Six months in the life of a rising star
French Open women’s champion Iga Swiatek is active on social media. See the past six months of this rising star as seen through the prism of her Instagram posts.
6 months in the life of a rising star…
Told by @iga_swiatek, through Instagram! 🤳#BillieJeanKingCup pic.twitter.com/kvFUaLBPVB
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) October 13, 2020
Seeds advance in Sardinia
First-round play in the ATP 250 Forte Village Sardegna Open in Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy, continued on Tuesday. No. 5 seed Lorenzo Sonego of Italy, ranked 42nd, advanced with a 6-2, 7-6 (4) win over 317th-ranked Italian wild card Giulio Zeppieri. Also, No. 6 seed Pablo Andújar of Spain, ranked No. 54 defeated No. 125 Jozef Kovalik of Slovakia, 7-5, 7-5.
Other Tuesday winners include: No. 96 Roberto Carballes Baena, No. 78 Federico Delbonis, No. 74 Laslo Djere and No. 103 Marco Cecchinato. Top seed Fabio Fognini faces Baena on Wednesday.
Day 2️⃣ in Sardinia is in the books!#SardiniaOpen pic.twitter.com/qodYiJ7Q7q
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 13, 2020
What they’re saying
• Todd Woodbridge, former Australian pro turned broadcaster, on what Rafael Nadal’s phenomenal performance means for tennis: “To be able to go to a tournament and win it 13 times, be fit, healthy and mentally able to cope with the stresses of being one of the top players, I don’t think there’s any sporting feat that I can think of that has had that continuity, longevity and dominance.”
• Chris McKendry, ESPN tennis presenter …
This could be my favorite response to victory, ever. The authentic joy and happiness… you’d think it was his first. @RafaelNadal @rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/dhYm38V3Mm
— Chris McKendry (@ChrisMcKendry) October 13, 2020
What they’re writing
• Christopher Clarey, New York Times tennis correspondent, shares this: “A red mountain of clay-court achievement separates 13-time champ Rafael Nadal and first-time champ Iga Swiatek. But they did share one major tennis virtue in Paris.”
A red mountain of clay-court achievement separates 13-time champ Rafael Nadal & first-time champ Iga Swiatek. But they did share one major tennis virtue in Paris
My latest (and last) piece on the 2020 French Open#RG20https://t.co/KNcYvJC2tK
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) October 12, 2020
• Simon Briggs, tennis correspondent for the London Daily Telegraph, writes that Iga Swiatek is now reaping benefits of putting studies ahead of pursuing a tennis career after her French Open glory.
Iga Swiatek now reaping benefits of putting studies ahead of pursuing tennis career after French Open glory – @simonrbriggs https://t.co/MJfk8RFfkv
— Telegraph Women’s Sport (@WomensSport) October 11, 2020
What they’re podcasting
• Match Point Canada: “What’s the ceiling for Genie Bouchard? How special a talent is Leylah Fernandez? What was the extent of Bianca Andreescu’s most recent injury?”
What’s the ceiling for Genie Bouchard? How special a talent is Leylah Fernandez? What was the extent of Bianca Andreescu’s most recent injury?
Check out our latest @MatchPointCAN where @SNCaroline and @markhmasters join us to answer those questions!https://t.co/qBP9LUvsav
— Mike McIntyre (@McIntyreTennis) October 13, 2020
• The Tennis Podcast: “Roland Garros Day 15 – When 20-20 made us smile.”
“I always thought about Nadal and Roland Garros as a marriage with a perfect player and perfect conditions. This year taught me that it’s just about a perfect player.”
We reflect on Rafa’s excellence during our final @TennisPodcast from #RG20.
Listen: https://t.co/vBVBnK7ePC pic.twitter.com/CKkiGCWoS8
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) October 12, 2020
What they’re tweeting
Tumaini Carayol, tennis correspondent for the London Guardian: “With the current ranking system, Nadal could win Vienna, Paris and the ATP Finals yet Djokovic would clinch the year end number one with as little as a Vienna SF and two wins in London. Even if Nadal plays Vienna, it won’t be because he’s trying to reach #1.”
