In her statement, Svitolina reflected on the significant emotional toll caused by the ongoing war in her home country. She noted that while Monfils provided vital support during her recent hiatus from the sport, she ultimately realized that her personal recovery required a different path. She explained that some internal battles cannot be resolved through the support of a partner alone, leading to her decision to seek a way back to herself outside of their marriage.
Focus on family and professional transitions
Despite the separation, Svitolina emphasized that the couple remains committed to their four-year-old daughter, Skai. She stated that while their marriage is concluding, their roles as parents will remain a priority, noting that they will continue to support their daughter together at every stage of her life.
The announcement coincides with a major shift in Gael Monfils' professional career. The 40-year-old, who had previously indicated plans to retire at the conclusion of the current season, has officially ended his career earlier than anticipated. According to the sport's drug-testing organization, Monfils is now listed among players who have declared themselves retired, with his professional status concluding as of October 5.
Prior to this development, it was widely anticipated that the former world number six would play his final matches in front of a home crowd at the Paris Masters, which is scheduled to begin on October 31. The early retirement marks a definitive end to his time on the professional circuit.
