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

Gael Monfils has publicly defended his wife Elina Svitolina after she faced online backlash following their announced marriage breakdown. Svitolina attributed the split to the mental toll caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, which drew harsh criticism from social media users. Monfils described the public reaction toward her as unkind and venomous, stressing that he respects her decision and that they remain a family.

The separation reportedly contributed to the 40-year-old Monfils ending his tennis career earlier than planned, concluding with his second-round US Open defeat to Learner Tien instead of retiring at the Paris Masters. The couple, who share a four-year-old daughter named Skai, recently reached the US Open mixed doubles semi-finals together before confirming the end of their marriage.