In brief
Elina Svitolina, world number six, announced her divorce from Gaël Monfils on Instagram, crediting the emotional strain of the Ukraine war. In a heartfelt post, she explained that she needed to reclaim her identity inside, a goal she could not achieve within the marriage. The former couple, who wed in 2021 and share a four‑year‑old daughter, will stay family-oriented. Monfils, who has already retired from professional play, is transitioning to a career in finance. The story highlights how the conflict in Ukraine has reverberated even into global sport.
Elina Svitolina, ranked world number six, announced that her marriage to former French tennis star Gaël Monfils has ended, posting the news on Instagram this week.
In her heartfelt caption she said that the Ukraine war has taken an emotional toll on her, and that she needed to “find my way back to myself.” Svitolina wrote that she could not do so within the marriage, calling the decision the most difficult thing she has ever had to share.
She praised Monfils for listening and respecting her need to heal, describing his response as “strength and grace I will never forget.” She added that “some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you.”
Svitolina, who grew up in Odesa, a city that has suffered repeated bombings since Russia’s full‑scale invasion in February 2022, confirmed that her daughter Skai, now four, remains a top priority and that the family will stay together.
Monfils, 40, had already confirmed his retirement from professional play, having been listed as retired by the International Tennis Integrity Authority. He is now preparing to start a new career in finance after joining a Swiss wealth‑management firm.
The split underscores how the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has rippled even into the world of sport, affecting the personal lives of athletes who play on an international stage.
