Indian Wells
Svitolina embracing ‘emotional’ closing season of Monfils’ profession
Svitolina opens up on Monfils’ impending retirement
March 13, 2026
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Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina have been married since 2021.
By Sam Jacot
As Gael Monfils prepares to complete his storied profession on the finish of 2026, few folks perceive the feelings of the second higher than his spouse, Elina Svitolina.
Speaking on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after her quarter-final victory in opposition to Iga Swiatek, Svitolina mirrored on Monfils’ choice to make the 2026 season his final on Tour. The 39-year-old Frenchman, one of many sport’s most charismatic performers, gained his opening match within the California desert earlier than falling within the second spherical to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
For Svitolina, the truth of Monfils’ impending retirement started to sink in months in the past.
“I think for me the most difficult bit was when he really told me,” Svitolina mentioned. “I think it was September last year when he told me that he’s thinking about it and that it’s probably going to happen. That was tough as well for me because I have been watching him a little also when he was playing great matches, starting his career and then also following him before we were together.”
The Ukrainian, who married Monfils in 2021, has witnessed his journey from a number of views. First as a fellow participant watching from afar, and later as a companion experiencing the highs and lows of life on Tour alongside him.
“Being next to him and seeing what he’s going through of course is very special,” Svitolina mentioned. “For me, it’s also emotional to see the way that he’s handling this. Of course sometimes it can be tough for him and emotional, and I try to be there every step of the way and try to support him.”
While the ultimate season inevitably carries moments of reflection, Svitolina mentioned her position is solely to be current as Monfils navigates the closing stretch of his profession.
“I mean, I don’t think there is any other thing that I could do really, just to be there and talk sometimes, sometimes just to be in silence to let him enjoy this last year,” Svitolina mentioned.
Several stops on the calendar are anticipated to hold specific which means, particularly the European clay swing and Roland Garros, the place Monfils has thrilled French crowds for almost twenty years.
“I think Europe, Roland Garros time will be really emotional for him,” Svitolina mentioned. “So it’s going to be a lot for us as a family, but also a lot of enjoyment, because it is something special. It’s a chapter that you will never forget.”
For now, Svitolina mentioned the household is embracing the combination of emotions that accompanies such a second.
“[The] only thing you can do is just live around these emotions,” Svitolina mentioned. “You cannot get rid of all the excitement, all the different bad emotions and good emotions. It’s just a mixture of it. We just try to enjoy this moment as much as we can.”
