Svitolina and Monfils end their marriage: "There are battles one must fight alone"

A piece of news we did not expect and that has moved our hearts. Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have been one of the most beloved and charismatic couples in tennis in recent times, which is why all fans of this sport have felt the strong impact of their breakup, announced by the Ukrainian player on social media.

They started their relationship in late 2017, got married in July 2021, and have a daughter, Skai, born in October 2022. Everything seemed to be going well, with each one fully invested in the other's sports career. No one could foresee that once Monfils ended his career, news would come that, according to Svitolina, is related to the emotional turmoil that the Ukrainian is experiencing due to the situation in her country.

Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils are ending their marriage 💔 Elina shared this message on IG: “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. Gaël 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. Gaël 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. Thank you for your love 🤍”

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 19, 2026

This is Svitolina's statement announcing her breakup with Monfils

This is the hardest thing I have ever had to share in my life.

Everyone knows what Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is how the war has affected 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.

Gaël was there and witnessed it all. He never let go of my hand. We have been fighting this together for a long time, with all our strength.

But there are battles fought deep within oneself that even all the love from another person cannot win for you.

Over time, I have come 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. Gaël listened to me and has respected what I need with a strength and generosity that I will never forget.

Gaël has loved me in my happiest moments and also in my darkest times, and I have loved him with all my heart. Together we have built a precious life and received the most valuable gift of all: our daughter, Skai.

Skai will always be our priority. Our marriage is coming to an end, but our family is not. We will always be her parents and will be together, by her side, at every stage of her life.

I want you to know that there is no one to blame here. There are just two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is changing shape.

We ask for your understanding and for the space we need to heal.

Thank you for your love.

It remains to be seen how this situation will affect Elina Svitolina's career, which will surely generate some impact on her tennis. The Ukrainian has ahead of her, in the short term, the great challenge of competing in the WTA Finals 2026, where she will seek a new major title for her resume.  Additionally, Gael Monfils' decision to withdraw from the Lyon and Paris tournaments, abruptly anticipating his retirement, could be related to this.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Svitolina y Monfils rompen su matrimonio: "Hay batallas que debe librar una misma"