Marriage ends as tennis star Svitolina cites emotional toll of Ukraine war in Monfils separation

Svitolina shares her decision

Svitolina described the announcement as the hardest thing she had faced sharing publicly. She said she needed to find her way back to herself and did not believe she could do that while married.

She also wrote that personal struggles can remain internal, despite the love offered by another person. Her explanation connected the separation to the emotional strain of the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine remains central to her

Svitolina, who grew up in Odesa, emphasized her connection to Ukraine. She said the country means a great deal to her. The four-time Grand Slam semi-finalist has spoken of the war’s effect as she explained the end of the relationship. The announcement did not provide further details about the separation.

A family and tennis partnership

Svitolina and Monfils married in 2021 and have one child, their four-year-old daughter Skai. Monfils is a former French tennis player. The pair also played mixed doubles at this year’s US Open and advanced to the semi-finals.