Elina Svitolina spoke about her relationship with Gael Monfils after reaching a tournament quarterfinal on Friday, November 13.
The sixth-seeded player addressed her personal life following a three-set victory over Aryna Sabalenka, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, according to Ouest-France. Svitolina and Monfils separated roughly a month prior to the press conference.
“The most important thing is to be honest with people,” Svitolina told Ouest-France. “I have a very good relation with Gael. I even spoke with him ten minutes before the match. We are on good terms, and the most important for us is that our daughter be happy. It is our priority.”
The separation brought intense online scrutiny, with Svitolina facing what the report described as venomous criticism on the internet. The public reaction followed Monfils ending his international tour and halting his farewell plans from professional tennis due to the divorce.
“There are still many things happening on social media, a lot of pressure, and I think there are many negative discussions,” Svitolina said, as reported by Ouest-France. “I would not say this tournament is a sort of escape, because in this situation, I just want to stay away from social media.”
Svitolina explained that she deliberately avoids applications like Instagram when experiencing mental overload. She focuses instead on her family and relies on a trusted circle.
“I have great people around me,” Svitolina stated, according to Ouest-France. “When I feel mental overload, I try not to go on Instagram and all the other applications that can be negative. I focus on myself and on my family.”
“There are good and bad days, but I am used to all of that,” she added. “I have thick skin today after all the things I have lived through these last few years.”
Svitolina advanced to face Czech player Linda Noskova in California on Saturday, November 14, at 10:10 PM French time.
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