Elina Svitolina is the first international player to arrive in Brisbane ahead of the January tournament. She touched down in the city on Christmas eve.
The 22-year-old was matter-of-fact when asked why she’d chosen not to spend Christmas with her family, arriving days ahead of her competitors.
“I still have things to improve in my game so I decided to come early to work,” she said.
Ranked 14 in the world, the Ukranian spent much of 2016 working with former World Number One Justine Henin, who has just taken leave to give birth to her second child. Svitolina will work with a new coaching partnership in 2017 – Gabriel Upri and Thierry Ascion.
“I’m looking forward to this partnership. Gabriel will be here and in Sydney as well,” she said.
Svitolina is confident in her game after a season which saw her beat Serena Williams at the Rio Olympics and Angelique Kerber.
The Olympic victory against Williams, prior to her Quarter Final exit, is one of the most cherished of her career.
“The Olympics was a very special win for my country and I was very happy to receive so many nice messages and for Ukraine it was such a big thing. I’m happy that in Ukraine tennis is moving forward because of me and I’m very humbled.”
She didn’t specify her goal for the Brisbane International, only to hint she expects a lot from herself every time she steps on court.
“Always my goal is very high. Just trying to enjoy it first of all, I always like to come back here and hopefully I play well, I always give it 100-percent.”