Elina Svitolina, Belinda Bencic targeting Tokyo Olympics

Elina Svitolina and Belinda Bencic have been playing some fantastic tennis with both players sitting in the Top 10 of the WTA Rankings. With the Olympics around the corner this year, both the players are looking forward to winning golds for their country.

"For sure, as it is the Olympic year, it's important for me to play well at the Olympics, try to get a gold for Ukraine," Svitolina told reporters. "All the Grand Slams are always the ultimate goal I think for every tennis player. But for me, I think trying to find back my game, my rhythm, stay healthy throughout the year. When I feel good, I can play on a high level. For me being healthy and playing consistently, that's how I get back on the top and staying there as well," she added.

Bencic also reiterated that the Olympics are top priority for her at the moment. "For me, the Olympics is for sure a big highlight in my season. I'm definitely going to prepare well for this tournament," said Bencic.

"I think it's going to just be amazingly exciting for me, first time at the Olympics, to see how everything goes, to see all the different athletes and sports. For me, it's going to be something really special,” she further assessed.

The Swiss also addressed her thoughts when she takes on Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opener. "Like all the other first rounds, very difficult. She played great in Australia. I think she changed her game a little bit now with a new coach. I played her in Moscow, so I know how to play her. I practiced with her a couple of times. She's definitely not someone new for me," said Bencic.

She also said that she is not looking to focus much on the ranking race. "No, I'm not thinking about the No. 1 spot because I'm very far from it. I'm focusing on what's happening on the court. That's my only focus really. Really the rankings are something that's very spectacular for the media, to put pressure on players. For me, it's really just a reward for your tennis on the court. It's not something I have to focus on," she said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2UZbqYZ