Elina Svitolina has opened up about the emotional strain of Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying it played a significant role in her separation from French tennis player Gael Monfils after five years together.
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has revealed that the emotional impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine contributed to her decision to end her marriage to French tennis player Gaël Monfils, sharing how the experience left her struggling to find herself.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Elina reflected on the personal battles she had largely kept private, expressing gratitude for Gaël’s support throughout their relationship while explaining why she felt she needed to move forward on her own.
“This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share,” Elina began.
The athlete said that while she has openly expressed her love for Ukraine, she has rarely discussed how the ongoing war has affected her personally.
“Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside,” she wrote.
Elina also recalled taking a break from tennis the previous year because she was not in the right emotional space. Behind the scenes, she said, she had been dealing with sleepless nights, uncertainty, and a growing sense of losing herself.
“What you didn’t see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself,” she added.
Despite these struggles, Elina acknowledged that Gaël stood by her as they tried to navigate the difficult period together.
“Gaël saw all of it. He never let go of my hand. We fought through this together for a long time, with everything we had,” she said.
However, the tennis star eventually realized that she needed to focus on rediscovering herself, even if it meant making a painful decision about their marriage.
“But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you,” Elina explained.
She admitted that reaching this conclusion and communicating it to her husband had been particularly difficult. Still, she said he responded with understanding and respected her decision.
“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,” she wrote.
“It is the hardest truth I have ever had to face and the hardest thing I have ever had to tell the person I love. Gaël listened. He has respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget.”
While their marriage is coming to an end, Elina made it clear that her affection for Gaël remains. She looked back on their years together with gratitude, including the family they built and their daughter, Skai.
“Gaël has loved me through my greatest joys and my darkest moments, and I have loved him with all my heart. Together, we built a beautiful life, and we were given the most precious gift of all, our daughter, Skai,” she said.
The former couple will continue to share the responsibility of raising their daughter, with Elina emphasizing that their separation will not change their commitment to her.
“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,” she added.
She also appealed for understanding as they navigate this personal transition, stressing that neither of them should be blamed for the end of their marriage.
“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,” she wrote.
“We ask for your kindness and for the space we need to heal. Thank you for your love.”