Tennis star Svitolina says emotional toll of Ukraine war led to Monfils separation
The two top tennis pros married in 2021 and have one child together.
Tennis star Svitolina says emotional toll of Ukraine war led to Monfils separation
Monfils and Svitolina played in the mixed doubles together at this year's US Open and reached the semi-finals
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has announced that her marriage to French former tennis player Gaël Monfils has ended, saying the emotional strain of the war in her country was a factor.
The 32-year-old world number six wrote in an emotional Instagram post about the impact of the conflict and "what the war has done to me inside".
"This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share," she wrote, adding, "I need to find my way back to myself". Svitolina said she did not believe she could do that while remaining in the marriage.
She said Monfils, 40, "listened" and "respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget".
"Some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you," the four-time Grand Slam semi-finalist wrote.
Svitolina said it was "the hardest thing I have ever had to tell the person I love".
"Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me," she said.
"What you didn't see were the sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself."
The tennis power couple married in 2021 and have one child together - a four-year-old daughter called Skai.
Svitolina said her daughter "will always come first", adding, "our marriage is ending, but our family is not".