Tennis stars Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina are ending their marriage, with Svitolina announcing the news in a heartfelt social media statement. The couple, who married in 2021, have been together for over five years.
Svitolina Opens Up About the Breakup
In her statement, Svitolina described the announcement as the “most difficult thing” she has ever had to share. She spoke candidly about how the ongoing war in Ukraine has affected her internally, saying: “Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside. 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. But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you.”
She added: “It is the hardest truth I have ever had to face and the hardest thing I have ever had to tell the person I love. Gael listened. He has respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget.”
A Relationship That Began Online
The pair started dating in 2019 after meeting online, with Monfils making his move following a social media post from Svitolina while she was in Paris. Reflecting on their first meeting, Svitolina said: “We met each other and we could not split anymore. It was an amazing coincidence that both of us were in Paris in the same time because I live in London now and Gael, despite he is from Paris, lives in Geneva.”
Their relationship had its challenges early on, with a brief split two years after they began dating. However, they reconciled and announced their engagement months later, marrying within three months of the engagement.
Family and Future
The couple, who have a daughter named Skai, competed together in mixed tournaments and reached the semi-finals of the US Open mixed doubles this year. Svitolina emphasized that their family bond remains strong despite the divorce, stating: “Gael has loved me through my greatest joys and my darkest moments, and I have loved him with all my heart. Together, we built a beautiful life, and we were given the most precious gift of all, our daughter, Skai. 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 concluded: “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. We ask for your kindness and for the space we need to heal. Thank you for your love.”
