Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have broken up
Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils’ marriage has ended. The Ukrainian tennis player announced on social media her separation from the French player, to whom she had been married for five years. The news came as a surprise to everyone: the couple seemed very close, and even at the most recent U.S. Open, everything appeared to be going smoothly.
The two tied the knot in 2021, and in 2022 they had a daughter, Skai. Svitolina explained the decision on social media as follows: “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to share. Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I’ve rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside. Last year, I told you that I needed to step away from the tennis court because I wasn’t in the right emotional state. Today I want to open up a little more.”
“What you didn’t see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself. Gaël saw all of this. He never let go of my hand. We fought together for a long time, giving it everything we had. But some battles are fought deep within yourself, and no amount of love from another person can win them for you.”
“Over time, I realized that I need to find myself again and that I can’t do that within our marriage. It’s the hardest truth I’ve ever had to face and the most painful thing I’ve ever had to say to the person I love. Gaël listened to me. He respected what I needed with a strength and grace I will never forget. Gaël loved me in my moments of greatest joy and in my darkest hours, and I loved him with all my heart. Together we’ve built a beautiful life and received the most precious gift of all: our daughter, Skai.”
“Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family isn’t. We’ll always be her parents, side by side, through every moment of her life. 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 taking on a new form. We ask for your kindness and the space we need to heal.”
