If Elina Svitolina wins Wimbledon this year, she could be as high as World No.2 and, after the brilliant 2017 she has had so far, that would be a deserved ranking. The Ukrainian is a determined all-court player and an upbeat character, and it seems that no matter what challenges the she faces, she comes through with flying colors.

Svitolina first made it into the world’s top 30 in October 2014 and steady results over the next two years enabled her to stay there. She then reached one final and three semi-finals during the Asian swing in 2016 to rise to World No.14, and that proved to be the perfect springboard for her incredible 2017 so far.

The good times started in Brisbane for the Ukrainian as she beat World No.1 Angelique Kerber in the quarter-final before losing to Karolina Pliskova in the semi-final. Then she overcame a disappointing third round loss to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Australian Open in the best way possible by winning her next event – the Taiwan Open. That set Svitolina up to win the biggest title of her career in Dubai – and she beat Kerber (again) and Caroline Wozniacki in the semi-final and final to achieve it.

That was undoubtedly a life-changing moment for the Ukrainian, and she rates it alongside a couple of other experiences as one of the most important of her career. She said, “I think there were a few moments in my life that changed me to the way I am now. One was beating Serena at the Olympics, for sure. (Another was) winning Dubai, because there was so much pressure from everywhere and because it was my first time entering the top 10 and my biggest title. And then there was winning Rome for sure because I played some good matches on clay after taking some time off before the clay season to get ready. “

Before Svitolina won the title in Rome, she picked up a smaller title on the clay of Istanbul which served as ideal preparation for the rest of the clay swing. And after Rome, the Ukrainian found herself installed as the second favorite for the French Open, where she was unlucky with her draw and had to face the player expected to lift the title, Simona Halep, in the last eight.

It did not seem to bother her as she raced into a 5-0 lead in the opening set against the Romanian. But after winning that set 6-3, she was unable to get over the line in the second set tie-break and lost the deciding set 6-0. Svitolina said, “I don't think about it. If I kept coming back to that match, probably I would be in the crazy house now.”

She smiled and continued, “Of course I was very disappointed. I was one ball away from the semi-final, from my biggest win, and I didn't do it. But I need to look forward. I need to stay in the moment because I am playing well and doing the right things. I don't look back because I'm not going that way. I'm going straight forward. It's gone already.”

Following the French Open, Svitolina traveled to Birmingham for the Aegon Classic, where she beat Britain’s Heather Watson in a close three-set encounter. It was only the Ukrainian’s fifth win on grass in her professional career and she said afterward, “It feels amazing because I've been struggling a little bit on grass for the past few years. I like the way I played today, the way I handled the game and the tight moments.”

Although she lost her second-round match in Birmingham against Camila Giorgi while hampered by a heel injury, Svitolina’s first two displays at Wimbledon certainly suggest she has found her feet on grass. In the first round, she beat in-form Australian Ashleigh Barty 7-5 7-6. Afterward, she said, “I needed to produce a high level because she was playing amazing in Birmingham and was really confident on grass, and she won in juniors here as well. But I knew that if I went out there and played my best level, I could be the better player on court.”

She continued, “I was very motivated to win because lots of people were saying, ‘Oh, you know, very tough draw for Svitolina.’ So now they can, ‘Shhh’ (smiling). For me, it's a big win and big step forward on the grass.” The Ukrainian’s second round win – 6-3 6-0 over veteran Francesca Schiavone – was far easier. She said, “I felt much more confident and I think I showed that I can play well on the grass.”

Svitolina continued, “I needed to work myself into the match because I didn't feel so well and was struggling a bit at the start. I was a bit slow and needed some time to be there mentally too.
But I think everything (in my game) was working well. It was quite good to see that I can, even when I'm not feeling good, play well and work myself into the match.”

The Ukrainian was also asked how her heel was feeling. She said, “There is still a bit of an issue. But everyone is doing their best: WTA physios, tournament doctors, my physio, my team. We are really working hard to manage the injury and get it better. It, unfortunately, cannot get better when I'm playing, but luckily, it's not getting worse. It’s still there.”

Svitolina is starting to build some momentum at Wimbledon 2017 if her heel does not derail her chances. She said she is excited to be in the third round at SW19 for the first time and even welcomes suggestions she could soon become the World No.1. She said, “It's encouraging for me. It's a big motivation for me to be No. 1, to reach this goal because everyone is very hungry for this. That's why I work every day and wait for my moment. I need to earn this place. I try to take one match at a time, train well and do everything it takes to be there. If it comes, it comes. If it doesn't, I will say that I did everything I can and then just move on.”