# Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils Separate, Citing War's Toll and Personal Reasons

> Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina and French player Gael Monfils announced their separation on October 19, 2026, with Svitolina initially citing the emotional burden of the war in Ukraine, followed by a clarification that other personal factors contributed to their decision.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-23T00:59:13.228382Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/elina-svitolina-and-gael-monfils-separate-citing-war-s-toll-and-personal-reasons-dd97f63f

Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina, then ranked World No. 6, announced her separation from her husband, French tennis player Gaël Monfils, on October 19, 2026, attributing the decision to the emotional and psychological toll of the ongoing war in Ukraine, among other personal factors [11]. The news emerged five years after the couple married.

This separation highlights the intense personal strain global conflicts can place on individuals, even those in high-profile careers, impacting their relationships and professional lives.

## What the records show

Elina Svitolina, a four-time Grand Slam semifinalist, made the initial announcement on October 19, 2026, via an emotional Instagram post [10][11]. She stated that the war in Ukraine had led to “sleepless nights, the doubts, and the feeling of slowly losing myself” [11]. Svitolina emphasized that her husband, Gaël Monfils, had supported her, saying, “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. But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you” [11]. She also stressed that their daughter, Skai, “will always come first,” adding, “Our marriage is ending, but our family is not” [8][11].

On October 20, 2026, Svitolina clarified her remarks, explaining that her decision was influenced by “several personal factors, not just the war in Ukraine” [1]. She admitted, “I was not truly happy. I want to live my life like I am supposed to, and I need to find my way back to myself” [2]. She defended Monfils against “accusations he did not deserve,” stating that his career ended abruptly “based on our situation” [3].

Monfils, a former World No. 6, had retired from professional tennis earlier in October 2026, a decision confirmed by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) [7]. He was 40 years old at the time [7]. Monfils had initially planned to conclude his career at the Paris Masters in November 2026, but the ITIA listed him as retired prematurely [7][10].

## The timeline

Svitolina and Monfils married in July 2021 [21]. Their daughter, Skai, was born in October 2022 [20][22]. In 2025, Svitolina took a mental health break from tennis, stating she was “not in the right emotional space” to compete [11]. On October 19, 2026, Svitolina announced their separation on Instagram [8]. The following day, October 20, 2026, she issued a clarification regarding her initial statement [1].

## What changed and for whom

Svitolina described the decision as “the hardest truth I have ever had to face” and expressed gratitude for Monfils’ understanding, stating, “Gael listened. He has respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget” [11]. Monfils' professional tennis career ended earlier than planned due to the couple's situation [3][7]. Svitolina noted that living through the war for over four and a half years had changed her perspective, values, and priorities [16].

## What the subject has said publicly

Svitolina explicitly stated in her October 19, 2026, Instagram post that there was “no one to blame” for the separation [9][11]. She reiterated this in her clarification, adding, “There are only two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is changing shape” [18]. She maintained that her daughter would remain their priority, saying, “Our marriage is ending, but our family is not” [8][9].

## What we could not confirm

We could not confirm specific details regarding the “several personal factors” that Svitolina cited as contributing to the separation, beyond her statement of not being “truly happy” within the marriage [1][2]. The precise date of Monfils’ retirement in early October 2026 was not specified, only that it occurred prior to Svitolina’s October 19 announcement [7][10].

## Evidence cited
1. Gael Monfils & Elina Svitolina Divorce: Tennis Star Forced to Retire After Wife Ends Marriage (heavy.com) — https://heavy.com/sports/gael-monfils-elina-svitolina-divorce/
2. Elina Svitolina clarifies reason for Gael Monfils split as she reveals 'I wasn't truly happy' (tennis365.com) — https://tennis365.com/wta-tour/elina-svitolina-clarifies-reason-for-gael-monfils-split
3. Gael Monfils to make public appearance after Elina Svitolina announced heartbreaking split (express.co.uk) — https://express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1963071/Gael-Monfils-Elina-Svitolina-divorce-retirement-tennis
4. Elina Svitolina Clarifies Reason Behind Gael Monfils' Abrupt Retirement and Divorce From Herself Amid Ukraine War (essentiallysports.com) — https://essentiallysports.com/tennis-news-elina-svitolina-clarifies-reason-behind-gael-monfils-abrupt-retirement-and-divorce-from-herself-amid-ukraine-war/
5. Elina Svitolina Divorces Gael Monfils, Citing Emotional Toll of Ukraine War (si.com) — https://si.com/tennis/2026/10/21/elina-svitolina-gael-monfils-separation-ukraine-war
6. Elina Svitolina announces shock split from Gael Monfils in emotional statement - 'I need to find my way back to myself' (tennis365.com) — https://tennis365.com/wta-tour/elina-svitolina-monfils-split-instagram
7. Svitolina, Monfils ending marriage over Ukraine war toll (japantimes.co.jp) — https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/10/20/tennis/elina-svitolina-gael-monfils-split-ukraine-war/
8. Instagram post by Just Jared • Oct 19, 2026 at 5:02pm UTC (instagram.com) — https://www.instagram.com/p/DBwN4vKxN8Y/
9. Instagram post by ukrainian.tennis • Oct 20, 2026 at 11:39am UTC (instagram.com) — https://www.instagram.com/p/DB035JmQ_nF/
10. 'What the war has done to me inside': Ukraine's Svitolina announces separation from Monfils (theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/oct/19/elina-svitolina-gael-monfils-divorce-ukraine-war
11. Svitolina and Monfils split as Ukrainian star reveals war's hidden emotional toll (thestar.com.my) — https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/tennis/2026/10/19/svitolina-and-monfils-split-as-ukrainian-star-reveals-wars-hidden-emotional-toll
12. Svitolina announces end of marriage to Monfils as Ukrainian cites toll of war (thedailystar.net) — https://www.thedailystar.net/sports/tennis/news/svitolina-announces-end-her-marriage-monfils-ukrainian-cites-toll-war-3446051
13. Tennis Power Couple Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils Split After Five Years of Marriage (the daily beast) — https://www.thedailybeast.com/tennis-stars-elina-svitolina-and-gael-monfils-split-after-five-years-of-marriage
14. Tennis star Svitolina says emotional toll of Ukraine war led to Gaël Monfils separation - Graphic Online (graphic.com.gh) — https://graphic.com.gh/news/sport/tennis-star-svitolina-says-emotional-toll-of-ukraine-war-led-to-gael-monfils-separation.html
15. How the Ukraine war caused famous tennis duo to split (gulfnews.com) — https://gulfnews.com/sport/tennis/how-the-ukraine-war-caused-famous-tennis-duo-to-split-1.129487779
16. After divorce backlash, Elina Svitolina issues another confusing clarification (indiatoday.in) — https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/tennis/story/after-divorce-backlash-elina-svitolina-issues-another-confusing-clarification-2544770-2026-10-20
17. Svitolina and Monfils split as Ukrainian star reveals war's hidden emotional toll (gulftoday.ae) — https://gulftoday.ae/sport/2026/10/20/svitolina-and-monfils-split-as-ukrainian-star-reveals-wars-hidden-emotional-toll
18. Elina Svitolina announces separation from husband Gael Monfils - ETV Bharat (etvbharat.com) — https://www.etvbharat.com/english/sports/tennis/elina-svitolina-announces-separation-from-husband-gael-monfils/en20261019131650346
19. World No 6 Elina Svitolina announces divorce from Gael Monfils, opens up on emotional struggles amid Ukraine war and more (indiatimes.com) — https://www.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/world-no-6-elina-svitolina-announces-divorce-from-gael-monfils-599292.html
20. Svitolina, Monfils announce birth of first child (wtatennis.com) — https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2847671/svitolina-monfils-announce-birth-of-first-child
21. 'Best day of my life': Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils get married (wtatennis.com) — https://www.wtatennis.com/news/2250269/best-day-of-my-life-elina-svitolina-and-gael-monfils-get-married
22. Svitolina gives birth to baby girl Skai with husband Gael Monfils (tennisuptodate.com) — https://www.tennisuptodate.com/tennis-news/svitolina-gives-birth-to-baby-girl-skai-with-husband-gael-monfils-111005
23. Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina share cute photos of daughter Skai as she turns one (tennis365.com) — https://tennis365.com/wta-tour/elina-svitolina-gael-monfils-skai-first-birthday
24. Svitolina, Monfils Announce Separation (tennisnow.com) — https://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/Posts/October-2026/Svitolina,-Monfils-Announce-Separation.aspx
25. Welcome to a new Monfils! Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina become parents (tennismajors.com) — https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/welcome-to-a-new-monfils-gael-monfils-and-elina-svitolina-become-parents-570088.html
26. Gael Monfils' career ends abruptly after Elina Svitolina confirms end of marriage (tennisuptodate.com) — https://www.tennisuptodate.com/tennis-news/gael-monfils-career-ends-abruptly-after-elina-svitolina-confirms-end-of-marriage-111005
27. Gael & Elina Tie The Knot | ATP Tour | Tennis (atptour.com) — https://www.atptour.com/en/news/monfils-svitolina-get-married
28. Tennis Stars Elina Svitolina & Gael Monfils Announce Split After 5 Years of Marriage - Just Jared (justjared.com) — https://justjared.com/2026/10/19/tennis-stars-elina-svitolina-gael-monfils-announce-split-after-5-years-of-marriage/
29. Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils make heartbreaking announcement about marriage (clutchpoints.com) — https://clutchpoints.com/elina-svitolina-gael-monfils-make-heartbreaking-announcement-about-marriage