Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have been one of tennis’s most recognizable couples, bringing together two successful careers and a family life that fans often got glimpses of through social media. However, after five years of marriage, their relationship has reached a turning point.
On October 19, 2026, Svitolina announced that their marriage was coming to an end in an emotional statement. The Ukrainian tennis star opened up about the personal struggles she had faced amid the ongoing war in her homeland, explaining that she needed to find her way back to herself. At the same time, she made it clear that neither partner was to blame and that their daughter, Skaï, would remain their priority.
The announcement has left fans with questions about what led to the separation, how the couple first got together, and what their family life will look like going forward.
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Why Are Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils Separating?
Svitolina’s statement offered a deeply personal insight into the emotional challenges she had been dealing with away from the tennis court. While she did not describe a single event as the reason for the separation, she spoke about the toll the war in Ukraine had taken on her mental and emotional well-being.
“Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside,” she wrote, explaining that her struggles had included sleepless nights, doubts, and a feeling of slowly losing herself.
Svitolina had previously spoken about needing time away from tennis to recover emotionally. Her latest statement revealed more about what she had been experiencing as she reflected on the difficulty of balancing her personal struggles with life as a professional athlete, wife, and mother.
She also made a point of acknowledging Monfils’ support throughout the ordeal. According to Svitolina, the Frenchman stood by her through some of her darkest moments, and their decision to separate was not an accusation against him or a rejection of the life they had built together.
“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,” she explained.
Svitolina eventually came to the conclusion that she needed to rediscover herself outside their marriage. She described it as an incredibly difficult truth to accept and an even harder one to share with someone she loved.
She was equally clear about the decision not being about blame. “There are no guilty parties here. There are only two people who deeply loved each other, and a story that is simply changing its format,” she wrote.
The couple have asked for understanding and privacy as they navigate the change. Their marriage may be ending, but Svitolina stressed that their commitment to raising their daughter together would continue.
Svitolina-Monfils’ Love Story: How They Met and Got Married
Svitolina and Monfils’ relationship began in late 2018, when their lives on the professional tennis tours brought them closer. Although they had known each other through tournaments, they were not particularly close at first.
Their connection developed after Svitolina won the 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore. While celebrating in Paris, she posted a photo on Instagram, prompting Monfils to reach out to her. The two met in the French capital, and their friendship soon developed into a romance.
They made their relationship public during the 2019 Australian Open and became a familiar presence on each other’s social media accounts. They even launched a joint account, G.E.M.S. Life, sharing glimpses of their travels, training routines, and life as a tennis couple.
However, their relationship was not without challenges. In February 2021, they announced that they were taking a break, explaining that they still cared deeply for each other but needed space to pursue their individual happiness. The separation proved temporary. They reconciled within weeks, and Monfils proposed to Svitolina in April 2021.
The couple married on July 16, 2021, in a ceremony that reflected their distinctive style. Monfils wore a purple suit, while Svitolina wore a custom white outfit designed by the late Virgil Abloh, complete with a flowing purple tulle train.
Their family grew the following year, marking another milestone in their relationship.
Who Is Svitolina and Monfils’ Daughter, Skaï?
Svitolina and Monfils welcomed their daughter, Skaï, on October 15, 2022. Becoming parents added a new dimension to their lives, with both players navigating the demands of professional tennis while raising their young daughter.
Despite their packed schedules and frequent travel, the couple shared glimpses of family life with their followers. Their daughter became an important part of their journey together, and Svitolina’s separation announcement made it clear that this would not change.
“Skaï will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will forever remain her parents, walking side by side at every stage of her life,” Svitolina wrote.
The statement underlined that their decision to end their marriage would not affect their commitment to co-parenting. While their relationship is entering a new chapter, both will continue to share the responsibility of raising Skaï.
The announcement also comes in a significant month for Monfils, who retired from professional tennis in October 2026 after a career spanning more than two decades. However, neither player has suggested that his retirement and the end of their marriage are connected.
For now, Svitolina and Monfils have asked for space to heal as they begin a new chapter. Their romantic relationship may be changing, but both have emphasized that their shared responsibility as parents will endure.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Tennis section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.