Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Elina Svitolina has announced that her marriage to Gael Monfils is coming to an end, opening up about the personal struggles she has been dealing with amid the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian tennis star said she now needs to find herself again, away from the roles she has played as a wife, mother and athlete.
Svitolina and Monfils married in July 2021 and have a daughter, Ska, born in October 2022. Announcing their separation in an Instagram post, Svitolina spoke about the impact of the war on her mental and emotional well-being and thanked Monfils for standing by her through difficult times.
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“Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside. This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share.
“Gael saw all of it. 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.”
Svitolina said Monfils had accepted her decision with a strength and grace she would never forget. She also made it clear that neither of them was to blame for the marriage ending.
“Please know that there is no one to blame here. There are only two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is changing shape.
“Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, at every step of her life.”
This is not the first time Svitolina and Monfils have taken a break from their relationship. In February 2021, the couple announced that they were taking time apart, saying they still loved each other but needed space to find fulfilment individually. They reconciled a few weeks later, announced their engagement in April and married in July that year.
WHY DID SVITOLINA STEP AWAY FROM TENNIS?
Svitolina ended her 2025 season early, taking time away from the tour to recover and recharge after a demanding year. The break gave her a chance to step back from the pressures of professional tennis and spend time away from the constant demands of competition.
Her latest statement offered a more personal insight into what she has been carrying away from the court. While she did not go into detail about everything she has faced, she spoke candidly about the toll the war has taken on her.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR FAMILY NOW?
Svitolina was clear that their daughter would remain the priority for both parents. While she did not share details about what their separation will look like, she stressed that their marriage ending would not mean the end of their family.
The announcement comes in the same month that Monfils officially retired from professional tennis, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than two decades.
Svitolina closed her statement by asking for understanding as the family adjusts to the change, making it clear that there was no one to blame and that their daughter would continue to have both parents by her side.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
