Shocking the tennis world with her divorce announcement yesterday, Elina Svitolina linked her decision to end her marriage to the profound personal changes brought about by the ongoing war in her homeland. Although her husband, Gael Monfils, had always stood by her side, she had come to realize that she needed “to find my way back to myself and that I cannot do that within our marriage.”
Many people found her explanation confusing and vague, prompting the Ukrainian WTA star to take to Instagram a day later in an attempt to clarify her decision.
First, Svitolina explained that her initial post had focused on just one reason for the separation, whereas the reality was far more complicated. “The truth is, there’s so much more to it, and it was never just about one thing,” the 32-year-old wrote.
Once again, however, she placed the war at the center of her explanation. And, to be honest, I still find it difficult to fully understand this connection. Many people have endured war, and such devastating circumstances often instantly bring people closer together, as the immediate danger can make all their differences and conflicts disappear. This is the first time I have heard someone cite war as a major factor in the breakdown of their marriage. But here is how Svitolina explains it:
When you’ve been living through the reality of war for more than 4.5 years, experiencing so many different situations, emotions, and difficult moments, you naturally start seeing life differently. Your perspective changes, your values and priorities shift, and you begin to understand what you truly want out of life.
She then acknowledged something that perhaps offers a more direct insight into her decision: she was not truly happy.
“I simply realized that I didn’t want to keep living a life where I wasn’t truly happy,” she admitted.
In her original announcement, Svitolina acknowledged Monfils’ unwavering support throughout their struggles. In her follow-up post, she once again made a point of expressing her love and admiration for him.
“I love and respect my husband very much. And I will always love and appreciate him for the person he is,” she wrote.
Ultimately, though, this additional statement has done little to clarify the situation beyond what Svitolina shared in her initial announcement. She has made it clear that her decision was not driven by a single factor, while also emphasizing the profound impact the war has had on her outlook on life. Yet the precise reasons behind the separation remain unclear.
Svitolina also noted that “some things are simply too personal to share publicly.” And perhaps that is where the real explanation lies.
Svitolina and Monfils married in July 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland, after beginning their relationship in 2019. The tennis couple briefly split in February 2021 before reconciling and tying the knot later that year. They welcomed their daughter, Skai, in October 2022.
