Having a coach who you can only see during certain parts of the year and spends their time with somebody else might deter some, but not Elina Svitolina.
The current setup of her support team is an intriguing one. On the tour she is guided by France’s Thierry Ascione. A former top 100 player that turned to coaching after retirement. Ascoine isn’t just exclusive for Svitolina, he is also the mentor of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. An arrangement that has been in place for almost a year. In May Ascione was confirmed as Svitolina’s key mentor following the departure of Gabriel Urpi.
“This was actually the idea when I stopped with Iain Hughes. I wanted someone not full-time. I just wanted to stay really focused on what I have to do on the court, stay little bit, like, away from someone talking always on the court,” she told reporters in Dubai.
“Last year, it really worked well.”
It has hard to criticise Svitolina’s approach. 2017 saw her lift five titles on the women’s tour, including a trio of Premier tournaments. The most won by a female player that year. Her achievements resulted in Svitolina becoming the first player from her country to break into the top three of the WTA rankings at the age of 23.
Travelling the world, she is supported by hitting partner and second coach Andrew Bettles. A former British junior player that failed to break into the professional tour. Tasked with monitoring the progression of the world No.4, he is just 18 months older than her.
“I have Andy always with me, Andrew. He’s a second coach and hitting partner. Yeah, I have a fitness coach back in London. I’m looking for a physio now who can travel. It’s not so easy to find one who can actually travel every week with me.” She explains.
“But with Thierry, it’s always Jo who has the first say. I’m not the main person there. Just when he’s free, I go to Paris. If Jo is not taking him that week, I have the chance to work with him.”
Svitolina defeated Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4, in her quarter-final match at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday. She will take on two-time grand slam champion Angelique Kerber next.
