World number six Elina Svitolina has announced that she and her husband, former tennis player Gaël Monfils, are ending their marriage, saying the emotional toll of Russia’s war against Ukraine has left her needing to rediscover herself.
The 32-year-old Ukrainian made the announcement on Monday in an Instagram post, reflecting on the personal struggles she has faced since Russia invaded her homeland in 2022.
Svitolina and Monfils married in July 2021 and welcomed their daughter, Skai, in October 2022.
“This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share,” Svitolina wrote, explaining that the war had affected her emotionally in ways she had rarely discussed publicly.
She said the struggles included sleepless nights, doubts and a growing feeling of losing herself, adding that Monfils had supported her through difficult moments.
“Gaël 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,” she said.
Svitolina said she had come to understand that she needed to find her way back to herself and could not do so within the marriage.
She described the separation as a difficult decision, while expressing gratitude for Monfils’ support and asking for kindness and privacy as they navigate the change.
The tennis player stressed that there was no one to blame and that their daughter would remain their priority.
“Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, at every step of her life,” she wrote.
On the court, Svitolina recently secured qualification for the season-ending WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California.
Monfils, 40, a former world number six and four-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, has been listed as retired by the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
The Frenchman had planned to retire at the end of 2026, with November’s Paris Masters expected to mark his farewell to professional tennis.
