A Deeply Personal Announcement
Elina Svitolina, currently ranked world No. 6, stunned the tennis world on Monday when she revealed her separation from husband and fellow professional Gael Monfils. The pair married in the summer of 2021 after beginning their relationship in 2019, and together welcomed their daughter Skai in late 2022. In an emotional Instagram message, the 32-year-old Ukrainian opened up in a way she rarely has before, describing sleepless nights, crippling self-doubt, and the unseen damage that Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine has caused her personally.
Svitolina made clear that her decision was not a reflection of any failing on Monfils's part. She described him as having loved her through both her greatest highs and darkest moments, and praised him for listening and responding to her needs with remarkable compassion. "Some battles happen deep inside you," she wrote, noting that even the deepest love from another person cannot fight those particular battles for you. Monfils, who quietly stepped away from professional tennis earlier this month at age 40, is reported to have handled the situation with dignity throughout.
Tour Reacts With Warmth and Support
The announcement drew an outpouring of support from across the tennis community. Twenty-four-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka, and this year's Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova were among those who liked the post. Ukrainian compatriot Marta Kostyuk and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka both left supportive emoji responses in the comments.
Svitolina confirmed that co-parenting Skai remains the absolute priority, stating clearly that while the marriage is ending, the family unit is not. Both players are focused on what comes next in their respective journeys. TennisDraw users who have followed Svitolina's bracket performances this season will be hoping she finds the peace she is searching for heading into 2027.
