Sergiy Stakhovsky replaces Andrew Bettles as Elina Svitolina’s coach at WTA Finals due to pregnancy

Sergiy Stakhovsky will coach Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells after her regular coach, Andrew Bettles, stayed home because his wife is due to give birth this week, tennisworldfr.com reported. The Ukrainian player reached out to Stakhovsky, a former ATP world No. 31, to fill in during the season-ending championship.

Svitolina explained the change in an interview with the Ukrainian publication BTU. Bettles had told her during Roland-Garros that his wife was pregnant and might give birth late in the season, making his presence at the Finals uncertain. “Andy Bettles’ wife is pregnant,” Svitolina told BTU, according to tennisworldusa.org. “Back at Roland Garros, he told me there was a chance she would give birth towards the end of the season, so there was a possibility he wouldn’t be able to be here with me. And that’s exactly what happened, as she’s due to give birth this week.”

Stakhovsky Chosen After Summer of Planning

Svitolina said she began considering replacements as early as summer. “Sergiy immediately came to mind because I’ve known him for a very long time,” she told BTU. “We train together a lot whenever I’m in Ukraine, and he’s already been helping me anyway.” The two also worked together at the Billie Jean King Cup, where Stakhovsky observed how different players compete. “For me, it was a very easy decision,” Svitolina said. “I’m happy he agreed to help me this week.”

Stakhovsky, who served in the Ukrainian military following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has a notable playing history: he claimed four ATP singles titles and famously defeated Roger Federer at Wimbledon during his active career, tennistonic.com reported.

Five-Year Partnership Split in 2021, Resumed in August 2024

Svitolina and Bettles first worked together for five years before separating in 2021, tennisworldfr.com reported. Three years later, in August 2024, the Ukrainian star and the British coach resumed their partnership. Their reunion has coincided with one of Svitolina’s best seasons in years.

Rome Title and Top-10 Return Mark 2026 Season

In May, the 32-year-old won her first WTA 1000 title since 2018 in Rome, and she re-entered the top 10 for the first time since October 2021. Svitolina also claimed a title in Auckland and holds a 50-17 win-loss record in 2026, sitting at world No. 6. Her consistent play earned her a spot at the WTA Finals for the first time since 2019.

Champion in 2018, Finalist in 2019, Group Stage Exit in 2017

Svitolina’s WTA Finals history includes a title and a runner-up finish. She debuted in 2017 but failed to advance past the group stage with a 1-2 record. In 2018, she won the championship after going 5-0. She reached the final again in 2019 but lost to Ashleigh Barty. Tonnistonic.com noted that Svitolina enters this year’s tournament with a 77% career win rate at the event, the highest among the 2026 field.

First Match Against Mirra Andreeva on November 9

Svitolina will begin her campaign against Mirra Andreeva on Monday, November 9. Her last match before the Finals came on October 16, when she lost to Sonay Kartal 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in the Wuhan quarterfinals, tennistonic.com reported.

Bettles’ Absence and Svitolina’s New Coach Revealed

Why isn’t Andrew Bettles coaching Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals?
Bettles’ wife is due to give birth during the tournament week, so he remained home. Svitolina learned of the pregnancy at Roland-Garros and planned a replacement since summer, according to BTU.

Who is coaching Svitolina instead?
Sergiy Stakhovsky, a former ATP world No. 31 who defeated Roger Federer at Wimbledon and served in the Ukrainian military after the 2022 invasion, per tennistonic.com.

Svitolina and Bettles began working together again in August 2024 before this season. They split in 2021 after five years together and reunited in August 2024, tennisworldfr.com reported.

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