Svitolina and Monfils Announce End of Marriage, Citing War's Toll

Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina has announced the end of her marriage to fellow professional Gael Monfils. In an emotional statement shared on social media, Svitolina revealed that the distress caused by the war in Ukraine has taken a significant toll on her mental well-being.

"This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share," Svitolina wrote on Instagram. "Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside."

She described experiencing sleepless nights and self-doubt, stating a need to rediscover herself separately from Monfils. "Gael saw all of it. He never let go of my hand. We fought through this together for a long time, with everything we had. But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you."

Svitolina, 32, emphasized that the separation is not due to blame, but rather a "story that is changing shape." She and Monfils, 40, married in July 2021 and have a four-year-old daughter, Skai. Svitolina assured that their daughter remains their top priority and that they will continue to co-parent.

"Skai will always come first," she stated. "Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, at every step of her life."

Svitolina had previously cut short her 2025 season due to psychological fatigue and exhaustion, citing in a statement that she was "not in the right emotional space" to continue playing and needed time to "heal and recharge."

The announcement may also provide context for Monfils' withdrawal from the upcoming Paris Masters, a tournament originally slated to be the final event of his career. Fans had expressed confusion when Monfils was listed as retired without explanation prior to the event.

Monfils had announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2026 season earlier this year.