Elina Svitolina received some advice from her husband Gael Monfils prior to the Italian Open this year.
Svitolina beat Coco Gauff to win her third Italian Open title, and her first since 2018.
The Ukrainian has received many messages of support following her triumph, including Monfils sending Svitolina a heartfelt message on social media.
Svitolina has also revealed that Monfils also said something to her prior to the tournament which helped her in Rome.
Elina Svitolina says Gael Monfils was ‘very proud’ after her Italian Open triumph
It has been a very impressive 2026 season so far for Svitolina, who is currently third in the race to the WTA Finals, only behind Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka.
Despite this, Svitolina actually suffered a disappointing result at the Madrid Open, losing her only match in straight sets to Anna Bondar.
In her post-match press conference after winning the Italian Open, Svitolina revealed that Monfils said to her before the tournament how much she loves playing in Rome, with it being her best-performing WTA 1000 event.
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Svitolina continued to speak about Monfils’ upcoming retirement this year and how he is feeling ahead of his final Roland Garros later this month.
“Yeah, I spoke with him actually before the ceremony,” Svitolina said about Monfils. “He was just very happy, very proud of the effort. He knows how much it means to me to win here, to win my 20th title. I really wanted to before I finish my career get a round number, for me to get over this hurdle of 20 titles.
“Yeah, I felt like he’s very proud of the effort. He also been watching all the matches this week. After an early loss in Madrid, for sure it was not an easy kind of days for me. He always tells me that you love to play here in Rome, so just go for it. Yeah, I think he’s very proud and happy the way I just handle myself on the court.
“As you mentioned, for Roland Garros we still have couple of days to relax before the storm of the media and everything what comes with Roland Garros. It’s going to be very, very busy, but in the same way I think very special for us as a family and of course for him personally because he [has] been playing Roland Garros for so many years.
“I think for him having a French crowd is something that he always dreamed when he was a little kid to play the big matches, to play together. They carry you through the matches. I think for the past years he experienced something amazing. He always remembers that.
“I think for him will be a lot of nerves, but I think he [has] already settled little bit down with it. Just going to enjoy and give it his best shot, the last one.”
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Elina Svitolina helps Ukrainian tennis make 19-year tennis history
Svitolina has not only made history for herself after winning the Italian Open, but also for her country of Ukraine.
The 31-year-old may not have performed well at the Madrid Open, but her compatriot Marta Kostyuk certainly did.
Kostyuk won the Madrid Open for her first WTA 1000 title, before Svitolina would go on to claim victory in Rome.
As a result, Ukraine are the first nation to have two different players win both WTA 1000 tournaments since 2007.
The last nation to do this was Serbia, with Jelena Jankovic winning the Madrid Open, before Ana Ivanovic claimed the Italian Open.
Svitolina will now look to win Roland Garros for the first time in her career, having never surpassed the quarterfinals before.
The main draw of Roland Garros will get underway on Sunday, May 24.
