Elina Svitolina, the world number six in women's tennis, announced on Monday that she is ending her marriage to French former tennis player Gael Monfils. In a post on Instagram, the 32-year-old Ukrainian described the separation as the most difficult thing she has ever shared, explaining that she needed to find her way back to herself. According to MyJoyOnline and Nile Post, Svitolina stated that she felt she could not achieve this personal reconnection while remaining within the marriage.
The announcement highlights the emotional impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on the athlete's well-being. Svitolina, who grew up in the Black Sea port city of Odesa, noted that the city has been heavily bombed throughout the war. She described the unseen struggles of sleepless nights and the feeling of slowly losing herself, suggesting that some internal battles cannot be won by external love alone. The couple married in July 2021 and share a four-year-old daughter named Skai, whom Svitolina says will always come first in their family dynamic.
The timing of the split coincides with Monfils' departure from professional tennis. The 40-year-old former world number six retired earlier this month, having been listed by the International Tennis Integrity Authority as a retired competitor. MyJoyOnline reported that Monfils was expected to make a farewell appearance at the Paris Masters, but his retirement was effectively confirmed last week. He is now moving into a financial role at a Swiss wealth management company. Sportstar noted that the end of their marriage may have influenced Monfils' decision to end his career earlier than initially expected.
Despite the separation, Svitolina described Monfils as having listened and respected her needs with strength and grace. The two had recently played together in the mixed doubles at the US Open, reaching the semi-finals. As Svitolina continues her competitive season, including a recent quarter-final appearance in Wuhan, the couple aims to maintain a close family unit even as their romantic relationship concludes.