Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has announced the end of her marriage with French former tennis player Gaël Monfils, citing the emotional impact of the war in her country.
The 32‑year‑old, who is ranked number six in the world, wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post about how the conflict and “what the war has done to me inside” has affected her.
“This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share,” she wrote, adding that “I need to find my way back to myself.” Svitolina said she could not pursue that journey within her marriage.
She praised her husband Monfils, 40, noting that he “listened” and “respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget.”
“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 reflected.
She described it as “the hardest thing I have ever had to tell the person I love.”
“Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me,” said Svitolina, who grew up in Odesa.
The Black Sea port city of Odesa has endured heavy bombing by Russian forces throughout the war.
Russia launched its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
“What you didn’t see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself,” she added.
The former tennis power couple married in 2021 and share a four‑year‑old daughter named Skai.
Svitolina emphasized that her daughter “will always come first,” stating, “Our marriage is ending, but our family is not.”