Elina Svitolina announces separation from Gael Monfils

Elina Svitolina has announced her separation from husband Gael Monfils in an emotional Instagram post, Sky Sports reported on Monday 19 October 2026.

“This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share,” the 32-year-old Ukrainian wrote, opening up about the mental toll of Russia’s war on her country. “Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside.”

The world No 6 described sleepless nights and self-doubt, adding: “With time, I came to understand that I need to find my way back to myself and that I cannot do that within our marriage.”

Paying tribute to Monfils, 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,” ETV Bharat reported.

Svitolina and Monfils, 40, the French former world No 6, married in 2021 and have a four-year-old daughter, Skai. “Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not,” she wrote. “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.”

Earlier this year, the pair reached the US Open mixed-doubles semi-finals together, losing to Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli — shortly before Monfils’ retirement from tennis.