After a year off tour, Elina Svitolina to make WTA return at Charleston Open

The charm of Charleston, S.C. has called Elina Svitolina back to the WTA Tour.

The former world No. 3 will play her first tournament in just over a year after being awarded a main-draw wild card into the WTA 500 event. The loaded field currently boasts seven of the current Top 15, headlined by 2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Last year, Svitolina announced she was taking an indefinite break from the sport following the Miami Open due to a combination of factors that included an ongoing back injury and the mental toll of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. The Odesa native later shared she and husband Gaël Monfils were expecting their first child, giving birth to a daughter Skaï in October.

As part of her appearance, Svitolina is partnering with the Credit One Charleston Open and WTA Charities to put on a Tennis Plays for Peace Pro-Am in support of Ukraine and the Elina Svitolina Foundation. A similar initiative hosted by the tournament last year pulled in $100,000 for Ukrainian relief efforts.

“Increasing awareness and raising funds for Ukraine is very important to us as a tournament and to our players,” said tournament director Bob Moran, who also serves as President of Charleston Tennis LLC. “We are passionate about working with Elina, who has a deep and personal understanding of the needs in her home country right now, to further exemplify the mission of Tennis Plays for Peace and stand united with Ukraine.”

Now 28, Svitolina owns 16 career trophies, including the 2018 WTA Finals crown. She has advanced to the semifinals of Wimbledon and the US Open, plus the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

Belinda Bencic is the defending champion, having toppled Ons Jabeur in last year’s final. Both are among the entrants slated to compete, with the main draw kicking off April 3.