Elina Svitolina Edges Coco Gauff in a Dramatic Roman Classic
Locker Room
May 16, 2026
Elina Svitolina tossed away her racquet in sheer joy after she won a dramatic duel at the net to clinch her third Italian Open.
This one came some eight years after she completed back-to-back title triumphs in the Eternal City.
And there is something timeless about Svitolina too – because she simply laughs in the face of previous biological and sporting expectations.
Elina will be 32 years old in September – and she is also a mother. Yet physically, she just couldn’t be matched by the younger stars in Rome.
Elina Svitolina won’t fear Coco Gauff or any other rival at Wimbledon 2026. Her willpower is second to none.
What an inspiration she must be to all mothers.. To be able to find such sporting strength and extraordinary fitness at this stage of her career is almost incredible.
She just beat 22-year-old Gauff 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2. And Elina did it using relentless aggression and boundless energy. Her speed and self-belief seemed almost superhuman in Rome’s sunken gladiatorial arena.
And we must remember that Svitolina had also played gruelling three-set thrillers to see off Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in her last two matches in the Foro Italico.
In total, she saved 54 break points during the tournament. Pressure clearly makes her play better.
The lady from Ukraine has turned back time. Elina said: ‘Very hard to believe it’s been eight years since I held this trophy. Coco, I hope to have more battles with you in the future.’
Elina Svitolina against Coco Gauff would provide a sensational spectacle on Centre Court at Wimbledon 2026 this summer.
For now, Elina is just delighted to have reached a magic number. She explained: ‘I had a tough loss in my last final, which left me on nineteen titles.
‘I wanted a nice round number before I finish my career. My coach told me we would make it twenty this year. We did it, thank you!’
Svitolina’s coach is a likeable Brit called Andrew Bettles. They’ll have plenty of support at Wimbledon 2026. But so will Coco Gauff!
Reigning Roland Garros champion Coco said to Elina: ‘Another tough battle between us – and you played an incredible tournament. I’m definitely feeling momentum going into the French Open.’
Elina Svitolina and her French husband Gael Monfils will also be popular at Roland Garros and Wimbledon 2026.
Elina laughed: ‘Thank you so much to my team and my family. My husband tells me I’m very bad at speeches, so hopefully I’m not that bad this time.’
But she was serious when she thought of all the suffering back home. Svitolina reflected: ‘Thanks to all the people back in Ukraine who have been watching.
‘Being in the bomb shelters, it has been heavy for the past couple of weeks for Ukraine. I want to thank you for all the support – for finding the matches Long live Ukraine!’
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