Former world number six tennis player Gaël Monfils broke his silence on Friday, October 23, 2026, confirming his divorce from Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina via his social media channels, as reported by Sport365. The announcement follows weeks of public speculation after Svitolina initially revealed the separation and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the Frenchman’s early retirement paperwork.
Gaël Monfils Confirms the Split and Details Heartbreak
Monfils acknowledged the end of the marriage by telling his followers that he has a “heartbroken” feeling about the separation. In a statement posted online on Friday evening, the French player explained that both he and Svitolina had previously chosen to share their personal struggles with the public, ranging from his own battles with injuries and doubts to the immense suffering and destruction affecting Svitolina’s home country of Ukraine.
“Today, we separate. And as auparavant, c’est une épreuve que nous avons décidée, ensemble, de partager avec le public,” Monfils wrote in his statement, translated from French by Sport365. Despite the divorce, Monfils emphasized that he continues to deeply respect Svitolina’s choices and motivations, noting that the two remain united in raising their daughter.
Gratitude Toward Svitolina and Defense Against Online Criticism
Reflecting on their time together, Monfils credited Svitolina with saving his career when he was on the verge of walking away from professional tennis. He described their daughter, Skai, as the greatest victory of his life, tracing that milestone directly back to the support and courage his estranged wife provided during his darkest competitive moments.
Gael Monfils defends Elina Svitolina, following the announcement of the end of their marriage, ‘Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I have found unkind at best, and venomous at worst.Elina and I may no longer be a couple, but we are still a family’“Over the years,… pic.twitter.com/fn72UYYGpH”
Monfils also used his statement to defend Svitolina against hostile public commentary following her initial announcement. Visibly upset by what he termed a lack of kindness and empathy directed toward her, Monfils criticized online reactions as “mean” and “venomous.” He reminded fans that public announcements rarely capture the complete reality of a relationship behind closed doors, pointing out that both individuals carry separate, heavy burdens.
Timeline of the Separation and Future Outlook
Reports indicate that Svitolina informed Monfils of her decision to divorce during a phone call in late September. At the time, Monfils was at the couple’s home in Dubai caring for their daughter, Skai, while Svitolina had traveled to kick off the Asian tournament swing. With Monfils having formally initiated retirement procedures ahead of schedule with the ITIA, both players have now closed the chapter on their high-profile tennis partnership while committing to co-parenting.
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