Elina Svitolina has become the latest WTA star to call an early end to the 2024 tennis season with the Ukrainian confirming she has undergone surgery.

Just a couple of days after former world No 2 Ons Jabeur announced that she had pulled the plug on her tennis year, Svitolina also put her season “in the history books”.

The world No 28, who hasn’t played since losing in the third round of the US Open at the end of August, had surgery on a long-standing foot problem as she revealed the injury was hampering her in her “everyday life”.

In a post on social media, she wrote: “So unfortunately my 2024 season is now in the history books, as I have had surgery on my foot today to correct a long-standing issue that I have been trying to manage throughout this year ,” she wrote.

“This is the same issue that ended my season in 2023 and has hampered me for most of 2024. 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 everyday life too

“BUT NOW…

“I am excited for the opportunity to focus on my recovery and 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

“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 ✨”

WTA News

Ons Jabeur announces ‘difficult decision’ following ‘extremely hard’ year

Belinda Bencic reveals planned comeback date after welcoming first child

Following an incredible 2023 season that saw her win the Internationaux de Strasbourg title just seven months after giving birth to her first child, a daughter named Skai in October 2022, Svitolina had a mixed 2024 season.

Svitolina, who reached the semi-final at Wimbledon last year and the last eight at Roland Garros, started the year at No 25 in the WTA Rankings and finished runner-up to Coco Gauff at the Sydney International before returning to the top 20 after the Australian Open.

She peaked at No 17, but the injury-disrupted season meant she played only 45 matches this year with her a win-loss record of 28-17. Her best performance at the Grand Slams came at Wimbledon where she reached the quarter-final, losing to Elena Rybakina in straight sets.

READ NEXT: Elina Svitolina reveals chats with ‘motivated’ WTA mums Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki