Tennis Couple’s Split Explains Gael Monfils’ Sudden Retirement
Monfils cut short his farewell season after Svitolina ended their marriage, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency listing makes a comeback unlikely.
- On Monday, world number six tennis player Elina Svitolina announced her separation from fellow tennis star Gael Monfils after five years of marriage.
- Svitolina cited the mental toll of the Russia-Ukraine war as a key reason, writing she needs to "find my way back to myself" and cannot do that within their marriage.
- The couple, who married in 2021, emphasized their four-year-old daughter Skai will always come first, stating their family is not ending despite the split.
- Fans directed widespread backlash toward Svitolina, with critics calling her statement "the most bizarre way to end a marriage" and questioning her war references.
- According to L'Equipe's Franck Ramella, the news stunned Monfils, who previously announced 2026 as his final professional year and felt "no longer able to play.
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'Venomous at worst': Gael Monfils breaks silence on separation from Elina Svitolina
Gael Monfils has defended Elina Svitolina against criticism following their separation, urging fans not to blame her for his early retirement. Reports suggest their breakup affected his decision to end his career sooner than planned. Despite their separation, Monfils emphasized their continued respect for each other, saying they remain a family and will prioritize their daughter, Skai.
In an Instagram publication, Gaël Monfils spoke Friday for the first time since the formalization of his divorce with Elina Svitolina. If he assures that he has "broken heart", he also asks for the end of the wave of hatred against the Ukrainian player.
Gael Monfils calls out ‘venomous’ Elina Svitolina critics
"We respect his moment of life which is difficult": Cédric Pioline and the Rolex Paris Masters face the premature retirement of Gaël Monfils Source link:
French sports newspaper L'Equipe has revealed the details of how former world number six Gael Monfils learned that his wife, 32-year-old Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina, wanted to divorce him. At the time, the Frenchman was preparing for the final tournaments of his professional career, but then unexpectedly decided to retire earlier than planned.
The Ukrainian Elina Switolina and the French Gael Monfils were considered the dream couple in tennis. The background and consequences of a painful separation.
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