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Former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina has announced that she will end her 2025 tennis season earlier than planned, explaining that she is not in the right emotional state to continue competing. The Ukrainian star shared her thoughts on Instagram, opening up about the mental and emotional challenges she has been facing.
“I haven’t been feeling like myself lately,” Svitolina admitted. “I’m not in the right emotional space, and I don’t feel ready to play, so I am therefore ending the season here.”
Svitolina emphasized that, for her, tennis has never been about money, fame, or rankings—it has always been about giving her full effort and being ready to fight on court. At this point in her career, she said, she recognizes that pushing through when she isn’t mentally or emotionally prepared would not allow her to perform at her best.
She added that not every day has to be strong or productive, acknowledging the importance of allowing herself to rest and heal. “Some days are heavy—and that doesn’t make me weak. It just means I’m human and need time to rest, to feel, to breathe, and to just be,” she wrote.
Now ranked world No. 13, the 31-year-old star made clear that her decision is not permanent, but a step back to prioritize her well-being. “So I’m giving myself the space I need to heal and recharge, instead of forcing it and when I step back on the court, I want to fight with everything I’ve got and put my best self on the court for the fans, for the game and for myself,” said the athlete, who travels the circuit while raising her daughter Skai, now three years old.
Despite her early ending to the season, Svitolina has had a successful year on tour. She compiled a 35-14 record and lifted a trophy in Rouen, France, where she won the WTA 250 clay event in April. She also reached the quarterfinals at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Her summer results, however, took a downturn. After advancing to the quarterfinals in Montreal, she lost her opening matches in Cincinnati and at the US Open. Following her defeat in Montreal to Naomi Osaka, she also spoke out about the negative impact of online abuse from angry gamblers, which is an increasingly common issue for professional players.
Just last week, Svitolina represented Ukraine at the Billie Jean King Cup in China, helping her nation reach the semifinals before falling to Italy.
Svitolina is not the only player to step away this season due to the demands of the sport. Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia also recently announced that she would bring her year to a close early in order to recover and recharge.
