The week before the start of the Australian Open, tournament organizers prepare a series of exhibition and charity matches.
In one of those matches, Svitolina and Anisimova will compete against each other at Rod Laver Arena on January 14. The 31-year-old Ukrainian and the 24-year-old American are known to each other after colliding five times on the WTA Tour. The Ukrainian leads their head-to-head clash 4-1.
Svitolina returned to action in mid-December
After a shock defeat in the first round of the US Open, Svitolina went 1-1 in two Billie Jean King Cup matches for Ukraine. She then revealed that she was struggling mentally and ended her 2025 season.
“I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. I’m not in the right emotional space and I don’t feel ready to play, so that’s why I’m ending the season here,” the Ukrainian said after the US Open.
“Over the years I’ve learned that this sport isn’t about money, fame or rankings, it’s about the willingness to fight and give it your all. Right now I’m just not at the mental or emotional level to do that.
“So I’m giving myself the space I need to heal and recharge, instead of forcing it. When I step back on the field, I want to fight with everything I have and put my best self on the field for the fans, for the game and for myself.”
However, Svitolina didn’t wait until the 2026 season to return to action when she signed up for the World Tennis League. And it was a solid comeback since the former world number 3 defeated Marta Kostyuk on December 17, then Magda Linette the next day.
Before Svitolina meets Anisimova in an exhibition match in Melbourne, she will compete in Auckland in the first week of 2026.
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