One of the most cherished couples in tennis has decided to part ways.
Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils announced the end of their five-year marriage through a shared post on Instagram on Monday.
Svitolina, who’s from Ukraine, explained that the decision stemmed from the emotional toll of Russia’s war in her homeland. She described sharing this news as the “most difficult thing” she’s had to do.
In her message, she mentioned, “Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely talked about is the impact the war has had on me personally.” She added that, after stepping back from the court last year, it became essential for her to express her struggles. “What you didn’t see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself. Gaël saw all of it.” Svitolina noted that despite their joint efforts, some battles are deeply personal and can’t be won solely through love. “Over time, I realized I needed to rediscover myself, and that I couldn’t do this while remaining in our marriage.”
She reflected on the difficulty of sharing this truth with Monfils, expressing her gratitude for his support during both joyful and challenging times. “He listened and respected what I need with immense strength and grace,” she wrote.
The couple’s daughter, Skai, born in October 2022, will always be their priority as they move forward.
As Svitolina concluded her message, she urged fans to understand that there’s no one to blame for their changing relationship. “There are just two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is evolving,” she stated, requesting kindness and space for healing.
This announcement comes a few months after the couple participated together in the U.S. Open’s mixed doubles, where they surprisingly reached the semifinals after defeating top-ranked doubles players.
Svitolina had previously taken a break from tennis, citing a need to regroup mentally following Ukraine’s loss in the Bille Jean King Cup semifinal against Italy.
Since the onset of the war in February 2022, she has been vocal about the struggles of her family, and her foundation has raised over a million dollars to support affected youth.
On the court, like many of her fellow players on the WTA Tour, she has refrained from shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents since the conflict began.
Monfils is in the midst of his farewell tour and was anticipated to retire at the Paris Masters this November. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) officially lists him as retired as of October 5.
Though he was scheduled to compete as a wild card at an ATP 250 event this week in Lyon, he withdrew for personal reasons.
The couple exchanged vows in Switzerland in July 2021.
