Tennis Stars Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils Announce Separation
The Ukrainian and French players cited the emotional toll of the war in Ukraine as a primary reason for their decision after five years of marriage.
Tennis players Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have announced the end of their five-year marriage, with Svitolina attributing the separation to the profound emotional impact of the ongoing war in her native Ukraine.
In a joint statement shared on Instagram, Svitolina described the decision as “the hardest thing I have ever had to share.” She explained that the conflict has deeply affected her, leading to sleepless nights, self-doubt, and a feeling of losing herself. While Monfils provided unwavering support, Svitolina stated that some battles are internal and cannot be won solely through external love.
“With time, I came to understand that I need to find my way back to myself and that I cannot do that within our marriage,” she wrote. Svitolina emphasized that their daughter, Skai, born in October 2022, will remain their priority. She concluded by stating there is no blame, describing their situation as a story changing shape and requesting kindness and space for healing.
The couple, married in July 2021, competed together for the first time in the mixed doubles event at the U.S. Open. They reached the semifinals after defeating top-ranked doubles players Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten in the quarterfinals.
Svitolina had previously taken a break from tennis in 2025, citing her mental state following Ukraine’s Bille Jean King Cup semifinal loss. Since the start of the war in February 2022, she has been an active advocate, with her foundation raising over $1 million for children affected by the conflict. She has also maintained a policy of not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents.
Gael Monfils, 40, had been on his farewell tour and was expected to retire at the Paris Masters in November. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency lists him as retired as of October 5. He withdrew from an ATP 250 event in Lyon citing personal reasons.