In brief
Elina Svitolina revealed her split from Gaël Monfils amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, citing the conflict’s emotional toll on her personal life. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the world‑number‑six urged a return to herself, stating that her marriage could no longer support her healing journey. The pair, married in 2021, share a four‑year‑old daughter, Skai, who remains their top priority as the family navigates the divorce. Monfils, who has announced his retirement and plans to shift into finance, met Svitolina’s remarks with respect and grace, noting that some internal battles cannot be won by love alone.
Montreuil, France — Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina announced the end of her marriage to French former world No. 6 Gaël Monfils on October 19, unveiling the emotional toll of the war in her native Ukraine as the root of the decision. She shared an Instagram post in which she wrote, "This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share. I need to find my way back to myself. I could not do that within my marriage".
The 32‑year‑old, ranked sixth globally, said that the conflict had left her sleepless, filled with doubt and a gradual sense of losing herself. "What you didn't see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself", she added. Svitolina further revealed that her partner listened and respected her needs with a strength and grace she will never forget.
The couple, who tied the knot in 2021 during a brief honeymoon in Paris, share a four‑year‑old daughter, Skai. Svitolina emphasized that her daughter will always come first. "Our marriage is ending, but our family is not" she wrote.
Monfils, who is expected to play the final tournament of his career at next month's Paris Masters and has already announced his retirement, confirmed the split last week when he was listed among retired players by the International Tennis Integrity Authority. With no eligibility to compete in professional events, the former world No. 6 is preparing to start a new life in finance after joining a Swiss wealth‑management firm.
Although the divorce is personal, the backdrop of the war in Ukraine — a full‑scale invasion that began in February 2022 and has bombed cities like Odesa — adds a poignant dimension. Svitolina grew up in Odesa and has repeatedly stated how much the country means to her. Human‑itarian efforts throughout the war zone have been mirrored on tennis courts, where the sport has joined the global conversation on resilience and peace.
Eyewitnesses at the US Open, where Svitolina and Monfils previously competed together in mixed doubles and reached the semi‑finals, reported a hushed air in the stands when the pair announced their forthcoming split. Reporters familiar with the couple noted a moment of genuine empathy shared between the two as they acknowledged the intense emotions stemming from a conflict that has reshaped their personal lives.
