Elina Svitolina ends 2024 season after foot surgery, vows 'to come back even stronger than before'

Another high-profile WTA star is ending her 2024 season early due to injury. Just days after three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur announced she wouldn't play again this year dur to a continuing shoulder problem, Elina Svitolina disclosed on her social media channels that she recently made the decision to have foot surgery.

In her post, Svitolina shared photos of her in a hospital bed, as well as being wheeled out of her hospital room by husband Gael Monfils with her foot enclosed in a protective boot. She said she hopes her decision to go under the knife will solve the issue that she's been dealing with since last season, a year she also ended early, for good.

The former world No. 3 wrote that "it’s become harder to manage and has been impacting me more and more, not just with regard to tennis and training but in my every day life too." Compensating for the injury also indirectly caused another set of maladies to Svitolina's body, with back and hip problems also affecting her this season.

“I couldn’t practice for more than an hour,” she said in Cincinnati. “I was asking myself, ‘Why am I doing this? I’m not 100%.’ My game is about physicality, so if I don’t have my strength, there’s no point to play."

The Ukrainian, currently ranked No. 28, last played at the US Open, where she lost to Coco Gauff in three sets in the third round. Her season was highlighed by a quarterfinal at Wimbledon, a runner-up finish at the WTA 250 in Auckland, and fourth-round efforts at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. She also defeated eventual US Open finalist Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-setter at the Paris Olympics.

Despite the premature end to her first full season as a touring mom to daughter Skaï, Svitolina, who returned from maternity leave in April of 2023, is vowing to "come back even stronger than before."

"I am determined to do whatever it takes to get back on the court and compete at the highest level," she wrote.

"I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement during this challenging time. Your love and positivity mean the world to me, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the courts in 2025."