Elina Svitolina, ranked #6 in the WTA, has officially announced her separation from Gael Monfils, a 40-year-old French tennis player who recently retired from his career in a private manner. This revelation comes just days after Svitolina exited the Wuhan tournament, where she lost to Sonay Kartal with a score of 2-6, 6-2, 4-6.
The couple began their relationship in January 2019, briefly separated that summer, and later reconciled. They tied the knot in July 2021 in Geneva. In October 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Skai.
Emotional Announcement of Divorce
In her impactful Instagram post, Svitolina stated, “This is the hardest thing I have ever had to share.” She opened up about the profound effects of the war on her mental health, revealing that she had taken time away from tennis to cope with her emotional state.
She shared the struggles she faced, including sleepless nights and self-doubt, and acknowledged that while Monfils supported her throughout these challenges, some internal battles must be faced alone.
“I have come to understand that I need to find my way back to myself, and I cannot do that within the confines of our marriage. It is the most painful truth I have ever had to confront and the hardest thing to say to someone I love,” Svitolina expressed.
Svitolina commended Monfils for respecting her needs and expressed gratitude for his unwavering support during both joyful and dark times. Despite their separation, she emphasized that their bond as parents remains strong. “Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family will continue. We will always be her parents, supporting each other every step of the way.”
She urged for understanding and kindness during this difficult time and thanked everyone for their love and support.
