Elina Svitolina has announced that her marriage to fellow tennis star Gaël Monfils is coming to an end, opening up about the emotional toll of the war in Ukraine and her struggle to find herself again.
In an emotional statement shared on her Instagram social media handle on Monday, October 19, the Ukrainian tennis star revealed that the war had affected her more deeply than she had previously admitted. She explained that sleepless nights, doubts and the feeling of slowly losing herself had taken a toll on her emotional well-being.
“Last year, I told you I needed to step away from the court because I wasn’t in the right emotional space.”
The world No. 6 then offered a glimpse into the private struggles she had been dealing with, revealing that her difficulties were beyond what people could see on the tennis court.
“What you didn’t see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself,” she added.
Throughout that difficult period, she confirmed that Monfils remained by her side, supporting her as they tried to navigate the challenges together.
“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,” she wrote.
Despite the love and support they shared, Svitolina acknowledged that some personal struggles could not be resolved by another person’s love alone.
“But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you,” she explained.
“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,” Svitolina revealed.
However, she also expressed gratitude for the way Monfils received her decision and the respect he showed her during an incredibly difficult moment.
“Gaël listened. He has respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget,” she wrote.
Despite their separation, Svitolina made it clear that the years they spent together were meaningful and that she would always cherish the life they built.
She spoke warmly about Monfils’ presence through her happiest and darkest moments, as well as the family they created together.
“Gaël has loved me through my greatest joys and my darkest moments, and I have loved him with all my heart,” she said.
“Together, we built a beautiful life, and we were given the most precious gift of all, our daughter, Skai.”
The couple, who married in July 2021, welcomed their daughter in October 2022. Svitolina emphasised that their daughter’s well-being would remain their priority as they adjusted to life apart.
“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.
Svitolina also addressed the possibility of blame surrounding their separation, stressing that their decision should not be viewed as a story of one person being responsible for the breakdown of their marriage.
“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,” she said.
The tennis star concluded by asking for kindness and the space they need as they navigate this personal transition.
For Svitolina and Monfils, the end of their marriage marks the closing of one chapter, but both remain committed to raising their daughter together.
