The tennis world is still reeling from the breakup of Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, and more details about the couple’s separation continue to emerge. According to the latest reports, the Ukrainian tennis star allegedly told her husband that she wanted a divorce over the phone while he was at home with their four-year-old daughter, Skai.
French sports newspaper L’Équipe reports that Monfils was in Dubai with their daughter after Svitolina left for a series of tournaments in China at the end of September. It was during this period that she reportedly informed him of her decision over the phone.
According to L’Équipe journalist Franck Ramella, Monfils had planned to play in front of his home fans in Lyon and Paris before bringing his professional tennis career to an end. However, the news of his relationship ending prompted an abrupt change of plans. He subsequently withdrew from the anti-doping testing pool, effectively bringing his career to a premature conclusion and abandoning his planned farewell appearances.
“When Monfils learned the news, it hit him like a ton of bricks, and tennis, which he had often experienced as a kind of gentle madness, lost all meaning,” Ramella wrote. “He was no longer able to play.”
Svitolina has also addressed the circumstances surrounding her husband’s retirement in a recent statement, acknowledging that their relationship difficulties played a role in his decision to end his career earlier than expected. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian star is enjoying a strong season on the court, having qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time since 2019.
As you know, Svitolina has offered few clear explanations for the divorce, vaguely attributing the strain in her marriage to the profound emotional impact of the ongoing war in her homeland, which she says has changed her as a person.
The separation is particularly striking given the couple’s public displays of affection just a few months ago.
Gael Monfils to Svitolina at the French Open 5 months ago;
“We’ve been together for 8 beautiful years. I’m not talking about Elina Svitolina the player; I’m talking about the woman, the real woman, my wife. She’s always known how to support me as a man.” https://t.co/xVaHOqzNVg
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) October 19, 2026
At Roland Garros, Monfils delivered an emotional on-court tribute to his wife, leaving Svitolina visibly moved. His words painted a picture of a couple whose bond remained strong after eight years together.
“We’ve been together for eight beautiful years. I’m not talking about Elina Svitolina the player; I’m talking about the woman, the real woman, my wife. She’s always known how to support me as a man,” Monfils said.
View this post on Instagram
Moreover, when discussing his plans for life after tennis, Monfils made it clear that he would take up an office job in wealth management at a Swiss company. While he was confident about his future in the financial sector, he acknowledged that he would remain connected to tennis through his wife, who continues to compete on the WTA Tour.
Svitolina and Monfils tied the knot in the summer of 2021 after beginning their relationship in late 2018 and going public with their romance in 2019. The couple welcomed their daughter in October 2022. Two days ago, Svitolina publicly announced her decision to end their marriage.
Public reaction has largely been sympathetic toward Monfils, with many commenters arguing that Svitolina’s attempts to explain the reasons behind the divorce are only making her look worse. Others have speculated that the Ukrainian star may already have a new partner and could introduce him publicly in the near future, although no evidence has emerged to substantiate those claims.
