Tennis icon Martina Navratilova has defended Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils after the couple faced 'nasty' backlash over their divorce announcement. Svitolina announced the pair's split last week, sparking debate in the tennis community.
The couple began dating in 2019 and had an on-and-off relationship before announcing their surprise marriage in 2021. Since then, they welcomed a daughter together and were described as one of sport's power couples.
Navratilova speaks out
After social media abuse was directed at the two tennis stars, Navratilova posted on X: "People are so nasty. Nobody is hurting more than Elina and Gael right now and people dare criticize them??? Only wish them good luck and good health."
The 18-time singles Grand Slam champion's comments came as the pair insisted their relationship remains amicable.
Monfils urges fans to stop abuse
Monfils urged tennis fans to stop directing abuse towards his former partner. He said in a social media post: "Even though she did not owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak vulnerably and truthfully about her reasons for this decision.
"She did so in the best way she knew how. Many decided that her explanation wasn't perfect enough and Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I have found unkind at best and venomous at worst.
"Elina and I may no longer be a couple, but we are still a family. Though my heart hurts, I am forever grateful to her for her support and love over the years. While I am deeply grateful that the public feels so invested in my happiness, I have found the lack of grace and kindness shown towards Elina upsetting."
He added: "While some may not understand her reasons, or agree with them, please remember that there is so much more that happens in a relationship behind the curtain that cannot be explained in a post. Elina has her battles to fight, just as I have mine. I respect her choices and reasons, and we will continue to support and care deeply about each other, especially as two people who share a child."
Svitolina's announcement
In the initial announcement, Svitolina said: "This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share. Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside. Last year, I told you I needed to step away from the court because I wasn't in the right emotional space. 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.
"Gael saw all of it. He never let go of my hand. We fought through this together for a long time, with everything we had. But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you. 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. 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.
"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. 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."
