Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils announce divorce

Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has announced her divorce from French player Gaël Monfils after five years of marriage. Svitolina shared the news via Instagram, explaining that the decision was driven by a need to find herself and a desire to live a life where she is truly happy.

Svitolina noted that the ongoing war in Ukraine has profoundly impacted her mental health, causing sleepless nights and a shifting perspective on life and priorities. She emphasized that while she loves and respects Monfils, she realized certain personal struggles must be faced independently.

Reports indicate that Svitolina informed Monfils of the decision via telephone while she was competing in China and he was in Dubai with their daughter, Skai. The news has coincided with Monfils’ abrupt retirement from professional tennis. Previously planning a farewell tour ending at the Paris Masters, the 40-year-old has instead withdrawn from the anti-doping testing pool, effectively ending his career prematurely.