Svitolina announces end of marriage to Monfils as Ukrainian cites toll of war

Elina Svitolina has announced her divorce from husband Gaël Monfils, citing the emotional fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war as the primary reason. The couple, married since 2021, released a joint statement on Instagram detailing Svitolina's perspective on the matter. She explained that the war had taken a heavy toll on her mental health, leading to sleepless nights, doubts, and a sense of losing herself in the marriage.

Svitolina, who has a foundation raising over $1 million for those affected by the war, expressed her fear for her friends and family in Ukraine, emphasizing the terrifying nature of missile attacks near her home in Kyiv. Despite her continued tennis career and the recent qualification for the WTA Tour Finals, Svitolina feels she needs to "find my way back to myself" and is unable to maintain the marriage.

She and Monfils, who have a daughter named Skai, have decided to part ways while maintaining their family unit.