Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina and her husband, former French player Gaël Monfils, are ending their marriage after five years. Svitolina cited the deep emotional toll of Russia’s war on her life, alongside the realization that she needed to find herself independently.
World number six Elina Svitolina announced her separation from Gaël Monfils in an Instagram announcement on Monday, October 19, that detailed the quiet, compounding psychological weight of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The couple married in July 2021 and share a four-year-old daughter named Skai. The 32-year-old Ukrainian and the 40-year-old Frenchman had joined forces months earlier to reach the semi-finals of the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, impressing in the tournament until coming up against Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the last four.
War Takes Heavy Toll on Svitolina
The four-time grand slam semi-finalist revealed that the private reality of the war proved far more taxing than what she had previously shared publicly.
Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside.
Elina Svitolina, via BBC
She explained that support could not resolve battles waged internally, writing that it was the hardest thing she had ever had to tell the person she loves.
Some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you.
Elina Svitolina, via ABC
Monfils Retires from Tennis to Join Finance Firm
The two-time grand slam semi-finalist’s retirement was effectively confirmed when he appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s list of retired players. Once a player removes themselves from anti-doping protocols, they are not eligible to compete in professional tournaments. Monfils is preparing to start a new career in finance after joining a Swiss wealth management firm.
Athletes Prioritize Parenting Skai
Both athletes stressed that their family bond remains intact.
Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not.
Elina Svitolina, via Indiatimes
Neither partner has pointed fingers or assigned blame, characterizing the separation simply as a story changing shape between two people who loved each other deeply.