In brief
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina, world No.6, has announced the end of her marriage to Gaël Monfils, blaming the relentless emotional strain of the Ukraine war. In a tearful Instagram post, the 32‑year‑old spoke of how the conflict had eroded her sense of self and required a personal rebirth beyond the marriage. The pairing, which wed in 2021 and share a four‑year‑old daughter, has attracted media attention for both their on‑court partnership and off‑court relationships. Svitolina emphasized that while the relationship is ending, the family unit remains intact. Meanwhile, Monfils, who is retiring from the ATP Tour, is reportedly transitioning to a career in finance.
Elina Svitolina, world No.6, announced the end of her marriage to Gaël Monfils, blaming the mental toll of the Ukraine war.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 32‑year‑old revealed that the conflict had taken a profound emotional toll: "I need to find my way back to myself," she wrote, saying it was impossible to do that within her marriage.
Svitolina praised Monfils for his understanding, describing him as a partner who "listened" and respected her needs with a strength and grace she would never forget. "Some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you," she noted.
The pair, who married in 2021, have a four‑year‑old daughter named Skai. Svitolina emphasised that while the marriage is ending, the family unit remains intact: "Our marriage is ending, but our family is not," she added.
Monfils, a former world No.6 who won 13 ATP titles, has already signalled retirement from professional tennis and is preparing to launch a career in finance after joining a Swiss wealth‑management firm.
Svitolina, who grew up in Odesa and has been outspoken about its suffering for the past four years since Russia launched a full‑scale invasion in February 2022, said the war had profoundly affected her inner life: "What you didn’t see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself."
The announcement comes as Svitolina’s brother and former coach has warned the public about the mental stress that prolonged conflict can cause, even for elite athletes. The tennis world has begun discussing how to support players coping with external crises that spill into their personal lives.
