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Svitolina Announces Separation From Monfils Due to War's Emotional Toll
Confirmed
In Short: In her post, Svitolina explained that the ongoing war in Ukraine has taken a significant emotional toll on her, leading to sleepless nights and self-doubt.
Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian tennis star ranked sixth in the world, has announced her separation from her husband, Gaël Monfils, through a heartfelt Instagram post.
In her post, Svitolina explained that the ongoing war in Ukraine has taken a significant emotional toll on her, leading to sleepless nights and self-doubt.
Svitolina and Monfils, a former world No. 6 from France, married in 2021 and have a four-year-old daughter named Skai.
Svitolina emphasized that the decision to separate was one of the most difficult she has ever had to make, stating, 'This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share.'
She expressed gratitude for Monfils' support, noting that he 'listened' and 'respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget.'
Svitolina also highlighted the importance of her daughter, saying, '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.'
The couple's separation comes amid reports that Monfils has seemingly retired from professional tennis, with his name appearing on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's list of retired players.
Monfils had been scheduled to play in the ATP 250 tournament in Lyon but withdrew for personal reasons.
Svitolina's announcement underscores the profound impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on her personal life and mental well-being.
She wrote, 'What you didn't see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself.'
What this adds
The emotional impact of the war on Svitolina's mental health is a significant factor in her decision to separate from Monfils.
The couple's separation highlights the personal toll of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on athletes and their families.
Monfils' retirement from professional tennis was not officially confirmed by him, but his inclusion on the retired players list suggests an earlier-than-expected departure from the sport.
What's confirmed
- She said her husband Monfils, 40, "listened" and "respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget".
- “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,” she further mentioned.
- “Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside. This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share,” she wrote.
- Svitolina said she had come to understand that she needed to find her way back to herself and could not do so within the marriage.
- “Our marriage is ending, but our family is not,” Svitolina said, adding that their daughter would always come first.
What's still developing
- Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
- "Some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you," the four-time Grand Slam semi-finalist wrote.
- Svitolina has won 20 WTA Tour singles titles and a career-high ranking of world No.
- Tennis stars Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina have announced the end of their marriage after five years, bringing a new chapter to a relationship that unfolded alongside their professional careers.
- “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.” She described the decision as the most difficult she had ever faced, adding that Monfils had responded with understanding.
- Svitolina and Monfils started dating between 2018 and 2019 and tied the knot in 2021.
- Svitolina also said she wanted to find herself outside their marriage and stressed that no one is to blame for their split.
- However, he was listed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency as inactive and retired last week, though Monfils has not publicly confirmed his retirement.
- Monfils has seemingly brought forward his retirement from the sport, which was expected to come following a farewell outing at the Paris Masters which begins on 31 October.
- It emerged last week that the Frenchman, who won 13 career titles, is now featured on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s list of retired players.
- "Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me," Svitolina, who grew up in Odesa, said.