Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has announced the end of her marriage to French former player Gaël Monfils, citing the profound emotional toll of Russia’s ongoing war in her homeland. The 32-year-old athlete, currently ranked world number six, stated that she needs to rediscover herself outside of their relationship.
Updated October 20, 2026
The Emotional Toll of the War in Ukraine
Elina Svitolina, who grew up in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa, has been a prominent voice regarding the Russian invasion since it escalated into a full-scale war in February 2022. While she has frequently spoken about her country on a public stage, she recently shared that the conflict’s impact on her private life was deeper than she previously revealed.
Svitolina and Monfils Prioritize Co-Parenting After Separation
Svitolina and Gaël Monfils married in July 2021 and welcomed their daughter, Skai, in October 2022. Despite the end of their marriage, the couple has emphasized that their focus remains on co-parenting. According to Svitolina, the decision to separate was not driven by a specific conflict or external blame, but by her realization that she needed to find her own path forward.
Career Transitions for Monfils and Svitolina
The announcement coincides with a period of transition for both athletes. Monfils, who won 13 titles on the ATP Tour, has officially retired from professional tennis. While his departure was initially expected to be marked by a farewell appearance at the Paris Masters on October 31, his status was confirmed earlier when he appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Authority’s list of retired players. Monfils is now transitioning into a career in finance, having joined a Swiss wealth management firm.
Svitolina, a four-time Grand Slam semifinalist, continues to compete at the elite level and recently qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals in Indian Wells, California. Earlier this year, the pair had teamed up to reach the semi-finals of the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, an event where they were ultimately defeated by Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli.
More on Elina Svitolina
Update (October 20, 2026)
According to the BBC, Svitolina shared details of her inner struggles in an Instagram post, describing the separation as the most difficult thing she has ever had to share. She wrote about experiencing sleepless nights, doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing herself, noting that "what the war has done to me inside" contributed to the split.
Svitolina stated that no amount of love from someone else can win battles that happen deep inside you, adding that Monfils listened and respected her needs with strength and grace. She also emphasized that their four-year-old daughter, Skai, will always come first, writing that their marriage is ending but their family is not.
