Elina Svitolina has announced the end of her marriage to fellow tennis star Gael Monfils in an emotional social media statement, revealing the devastating toll Russia’s war in Ukraine has taken on her mental health.
The Ukrainian, 32, opened up about sleepless nights and self-doubt amid the ongoing conflict in her homeland, admitting on Instagram that she needs to rediscover her identity after ‘slowly losing myself’.
‘This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share. Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside,’ she wrote.
‘Gael 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.
‘Please know that there is no one to blame here. There are only two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is changing shape.’
The world number six, who married Monfils in July 2021 and shares a four-year-old daughter with him, stressed that their child will remain their top priority as they navigate their separation.
Elina Svitolina has announced the end of her marriage to fellow tennis star Gael Monfils
In an emotional post, Svitolina revealed devastating toll Russia’s war in Ukraine has taken on her mental health and urged she needs to rediscover herself separately from Monfils
‘Skai will always come first,’ she continued. ‘Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, at every step of her life.’
As part of her Instagram post, Svitolina shared a black and white picture of her and Monfils embracing solemnly, showing unity and togetherness despite ultimately deciding to go their separate ways.
Svitolina cut short her 2025 season due to psychological fatigue and exhaustion, expressing in an Instagram statement last year that she was ‘not in the right emotional space’ to continue and needed to ‘heal and recharge’.
Meanwhile, the announcement might explain why Monfils, 40, is not scheduled to play at the upcoming Paris Masters, despite it originally being earmarked as the final tournament of the French legend’s career.
Fans were left confused last week when Monfils was mysteriously listed as retired without explanation ahead of the hardcourt event, expecting to see the veteran for one final time before he bows out of the game.
Monfils announced in October last year that he planned to retire at the end of the 2026 season, leading fans to expect the Paris Masters next month to be his official farewell.
Reacting to his announcement last October, Svitolina said in a video: ‘It’s going to be a very fun and very enjoyable last year for you and for us a family. It’s going to be full of enjoyment. And I’m very happy to be by your side.’
