Elina Svitolina breaks up with Gael Monfils: I need to find a way back to myself

Elina Svitolina has announced that her marriage to Gael Monfils is coming to an end and has opened up about the personal struggles she has faced amid the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian tennis star said she now needs to find herself again, away from the roles she played as a wife, mother and athlete.

Svitolina and Monfils married in July 2021 and have a daughter, Ska, who was born in October 2022. Svitolina announced their split in an Instagram post, and spoke about the war’s impact on her mental and emotional well-being, thanking Monfils for standing by her through difficult times.

“Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. I rarely talked about what the war did to me inside. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to share.”

“Gael saw it all. He never let go of me. We fought it together for a long time with everything we had. But some battles are fought deep inside you and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you.”

Svitolina said Monfils accepted her decision with a strength and grace she will never forget. She also made it clear that neither of them was to blame for the end of the marriage.

“Please know that there is no one here to blame. There are only two people who loved each other deeply and a shape-shifting story.”

“Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, every step of the way in her life.”

This is not the first time that Svitolina and Monfils have taken a break from their relationship. In February 2021, the couple announced they were taking time out, saying they still loved each other but needed space to find fulfillment individually. They reconciled a few weeks later, announced their engagement in April, and married in July of that year.

WHY DID SVITOLINA LEAVE TENNIS?

Svitolina ended the 2025 season early, taking time off the tour to recuperate and recharge after a tough year. The break gave her a chance to step back from the pressures of professional tennis and spend time away from the constant demands of competition.

Her latest statement offered a more personal look at what she’s taking away from the court. While she didn’t go into detail about everything she faced, she spoke candidly about the toll the war took on her.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR FAMILY NOW?

Svitolina was clear that their daughter would remain a priority for both parents. While she didn’t share details about what their separation would look like, she emphasized that the end of their marriage would not mean the end of their family.

The announcement comes in the same month that Monfils officially retired from professional tennis, ending a career that spanned more than two decades.

Svitolina closed her statement by asking for understanding as the family adjusts to the change, making it clear that no one is to blame and that their daughter will continue to have both parents by her side.

– The end