PARIS. France
Gaël Monfils has spoken publicly about his divorce from fellow tennis star Elina Svitolina for the first time, labeling the response to Svitolina’s announcing of their separation as “unkind at best, and venomous at worst.”
Gael Monfils has opened up about the personal struggles he has faced following his separation from Elina Svitolina.
With the Frenchman having ended his professional career earlier than planned, his latest comments offer a glimpse into the emotional toll of the breakup and the difficult decision to walk away from tennis.
Monfils, 40, who retired from tennis earlier than planned as a result of their separation, issued a statement on Instagram Friday, four days after Svitolina, 32, announced the end of their marriage, which she initially attributed to the psychological impact of Russia’s invasion of her native Ukraine.
Gaël Monfils has addressed his divorce from Elina Svitolina, sharing a message about mutual respect, honesty, and accepting each other’s feelings.
She respected him by being honest about her feelings, and he chose to respect her decision. Even during difficult personal moments, the French star believes that understanding and respect must come first
In the original announcement Monday, Svitolina wrote that she had endured sleepless nights, doubts and a feeling of losing herself since Russia’s invasion in 2022.
“Gaël saw all of it,” she wrote. “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.
“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.”