Ukrainian tennis champion Elina Svitolina has ended her marriage to French former player Gaël Monfils, attributing the decision to the psychological burden of Russia's ongoing war in her homeland. According to BBC News, the 32-year-old world number six shared the announcement through an emotional Instagram post that detailed how the conflict has affected her mental state.
In her statement, Svitolina described the internal struggle she has faced, writing that she needed to rediscover herself and felt unable to do so within the marriage. She praised Monfils, 40, for his understanding, saying he "listened" and "respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget". The four-time Grand Slam semi-finalist emphasised that some personal battles cannot be resolved through external support alone.
"Some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you,"Svitolina wrote, describing the separation as the most difficult disclosure she has ever made.
How has the war affected Svitolina?
The emotional weight of Ukraine's conflict has been a recurring challenge for Svitolina throughout the fighting. Growing up in Odesa, the Black Sea port city that has endured sustained Russian bombardment since the February 2022 invasion, she has maintained a deep personal connection to her country's suffering.
"Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me,"she stated in her post, before revealing the hidden cost of that commitment.
"What you didn't see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself."According to The New York Times, Svitolina explained that she and Monfils had worked through her struggles together for an extended period, and she asked for compassion and time to recover, emphasising that neither partner bore responsibility for the breakdown. This pattern of emotional difficulty is not new for the athlete; she previously ended her 2025 season early, citing an unsuitable mental state following Ukraine's Billie Jean King Cup semifinal defeat to Italy.
What is the status of their family?
Svitolina and Monfils married in 2021 and share a four-year-old daughter named Skai. Despite the marriage ending, Svitolina made clear that her commitment to family remains unchanged.
"Our marriage is ending, but our family is not,"she wrote, stressing that her daughter will always be her priority. The couple competed together in mixed doubles at this year's US Open, reaching the semi-finals as a team.
What happens next for Monfils?
Monfils's retirement timeline has become uncertain following recent developments. According to USA Today, the International Tennis Integrity Agency listed Monfils as retired effective October 5, earlier than his previously announced end-of-season departure. The 40-year-old French player had planned farewell appearances in Lyon and at the Paris Masters in November, but his official retirement status now casts doubt on those final tournament appearances. Monfils concluded his 22-year Grand Slam career in September with a straight-sets loss to Learner Tien at the US Open, finishing as one of tennis's most accomplished players never to capture a major title.
