Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Monfils defends Svitolina against criticism after their separation
Gael Monfils defended Elina Svitolina after she faced online criticism following their separation.
The French and Ukrainian tennis players said they would continue to support each other as parents to their daughter.
Svitolina said the emotional toll of Russia’s war against Ukraine changed her perspective, but stressed that the separation was not due to one factor alone.
Monfils said outsiders cannot know all that happens in a relationship and asked people to respect their privacy.
He described some of the criticism of Svitolina as unkind and venomous, saying she did not owe the public an explanation.
Monfils’ retirement from professional tennis has also drawn attention, but the couple said their family bond would continue.
They plan to care for and support each other as parents.
Gael Monfils defended Elina Svitolina after she faced online criticism over their separation.
He said she did not owe the public an explanation and that outsiders could not know the full circumstances of their relationship.
Svitolina has said the emotional toll of Russia’s war against Ukraine was one of several factors in her decision.
Monfils said the two would remain a family and continue to support each other as parents to their daughter.
He said the separation had been painful and that he respected Svitolina’s choices.
- Who
- Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina, professional tennis players.
- What
- Monfils defended Svitolina against online criticism following their separation.
- When
- Monfils posted his response on Instagram on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- The response was posted on Instagram. The couple’s separation was discussed publicly.
- Why
- Monfils said Svitolina had faced unkind criticism despite choosing to explain her decision, and that outsiders could not know the full circumstances of their relationship.
Monfils and Svitolina’s defenders
Online critics
Svitolina’s explanation
Monfils and Svitolina’s defenders
Monfils said she did not owe anyone an explanation and had chosen to speak openly.
Online critics
Critics questioned or criticized her explanation as inadequate.
Understanding the separation
Monfils and Svitolina’s defenders
Monfils said outsiders could not know everything that happens in a relationship.
Online critics
Critics responded to the reasons Svitolina shared publicly.
Monfils announced that the 2026 season would be his last on the professional tour.
According to a report by L’Equipe cited by India Today, Svitolina told Monfils during a phone call that she wanted to end their marriage.
Monfils’ second-round loss at the US Open to Learner Tien became his final professional appearance, according to the Daily Mail.
Monfils defended Svitolina in an Instagram post after she faced online criticism over their separation.
- Couple
- Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina
- Daughter
- Skai
- Svitolina’s stated reason
- The emotional toll of Russia’s war against Ukraine was one of several factors
- Monfils’ final appearance
- Second-round US Open loss to Learner Tien
- Monfils’ planned final event
- Paris Masters in November, according to the Daily Mail
3 sources
Gael Monfils defends Elina Svitolina after ‘venomous’ backlash to divorce
Gael Monfils hits out at 'venomous' backlash against tennis star wife after she blamed distress from war in Ukraine for power couple's marriage breakdown
Unkind, venomous: Monfils defends Svitolina amid online criticism after separation
What people are saying
Many decided that her explanation wasn't perfect enough and Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I have found unkind at best and venomous at worst.
While some may not understand her reasons, or agree with them, please remember that there is so much more that happens in a relationship behind the curtain that cannot be explained in a post.
I just want to clarify my previous post a little, because I realized that not everyone, especially my international audience, fully understood what I was trying to say
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.