![\"Gael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/svit-monfils-iw-2026.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Indian Wells
\n Svitolina embracing \u2018emotional\u2019 final season of Monfils\u2019 career<\/p>\n
Svitolina opens up on Monfils’ impending retirement<\/p>\n
March 13, 2026<\/p>\n
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Getty Images<\/p>\n
Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina have been married since 2021.
\n By Sam Jacot<\/p>\n
As Gael Monfils<\/a> prepares to finish his storied career at the end of 2026, few people understand the emotions of the moment better than his wife, Elina Svitolina.<\/p>\n Speaking at the BNP Paribas Open<\/a> in Indian Wells after her quarter-final victory against Iga Swiatek, Svitolina reflected on Monfils\u2019 decision to make the 2026 season his last on Tour. The 39-year-old Frenchman, one of the sport\u2019s most charismatic performers, won his opening match in the California desert before falling in the second round to Felix Auger-Aliassime<\/a>.<\/p>\n For Svitolina, the reality of Monfils\u2019 impending retirement began to sink in months ago.<\/p>\n \u201cI think for me the most difficult bit was when he really told me,\u201d Svitolina said. \u201cI think it was September last year when he told me that he’s thinking about it and that it’s probably going to happen. That was tough as well for me because I have been watching him a little also when he was playing great matches, starting his career and then also following him before we were together.\u201d<\/p>\n The Ukrainian, who married Monfils in 2021, has witnessed his journey from multiple perspectives. First as a fellow player watching from afar, and later as a partner experiencing the highs and lows of life on Tour alongside him.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing next to him and seeing what he’s going through of course is very special,\u201d Svitolina said. \u201cFor me, it’s also emotional to see the way that he’s handling this. Of course sometimes it can be tough for him and emotional, and I try to be there every step of the way and try to support him.\u201d<\/p>\n While the final season inevitably carries moments of reflection, Svitolina said her role is simply to be present as Monfils navigates the closing stretch of his career.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, I don’t think there is any other thing that I could do really, just to be there and talk sometimes, sometimes just to be in silence to let him enjoy this last year,\u201d Svitolina said.<\/p>\n Several stops on the calendar are expected to carry particular meaning, especially the European clay swing and Roland Garros<\/a>, where Monfils has thrilled French crowds for nearly two decades.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n