Gael Monfils has brought his tennis career to an unexpected end, reportedly after Elina Svitolina’s decision to end their marriage left him feeling that the sport had “lost all meaning.”
Svitolina, 32, announced their separation on Monday, explaining that Russia’s war in Ukraine had taken a devastating toll on her mental health.
Monfils, 40, and Svitolina began dating in 2018 before marrying three years later. The couple have a four-year-old daughter, and Svitolina emphasized that their child would remain their central priority as they move through the separation.
According to L’Equipe, the breakdown of the marriage prompted Monfils to bring forward his retirement from professional tennis.
The French newspaper reported that the news “hit him like a ton of bricks.” It added that tennis had subsequently “lost all meaning” for Monfils, who felt he was “no longer able to play.”
Tennis fans were already caught off guard last week when Monfils appeared as inactive on the retired players list maintained by the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
Gael Monfils has reportedly retired abruptly after separating from fellow tennis star Elina Svitolina
Svitolina announced the end of her marriage to Monfils in a social media statement on Monday
Being included on the list means Monfils is no longer eligible to compete in professional tennis events.
Monfils had announced in October last year that he intended to retire after the 2026 season. The Paris Masters, scheduled for early November, was expected to serve as his farewell appearance in front of his home fans.
He had also received a wildcard for this week’s Grand Prix Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes in Lyon, an ATP 250 tournament.
The Frenchman was due to join retired compatriots Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet in an exhibition at the event. During their playing days, the four men were dubbed the “New Musketeers” by the French media.
However, organizers announced earlier this month that Monfils had withdrawn for “personal reasons,” with Lucas Pouille named as his replacement.
His final professional appearance came at the US Open in September, where he lost to Learner Tien in the second round.
“I’m just me, Gael Monfils,” he said after the match. “I think I have been the same since I came on tour, with a lot of joy.”
“The most important for me is how my family lived all these years and how they will remember this ride was unbelievable.”
In an emotional message, Svitolina described the devastating impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine on her mental health and said she needed to rediscover herself independently from Monfils
Monfils and Svitolina partnered in the US Open mixed doubles tournament in August
Monfils, widely regarded as one of the greatest players never to win a Grand Slam title, had competed alongside Svitolina in the US Open mixed doubles event.
The French star had already received an extended farewell at his home Grand Slam, Roland-Garros, in May.
Monfils, who was ranked as high as world No6 at his very peak and reached two Grand Slam semi-finals in 2008 and 2016, confirmed at the US Open that he will embark on a career in finance after joining a Swiss management firm.
Svitolina had confirmed their separation in a social media post, which featured a black and white picture of her and Monfils embracing.
The Ukrainian opened up about sleepless nights and self-doubt amid the ongoing conflict in her homeland, admitting on Instagram that she needs to rediscover her identity after ‘slowly losing myself’.
‘This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share. Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside,’ she wrote.
‘Gael saw all of it. He never let go of my hand. We fought through this together for a long time, with everything we had. But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you.
‘Please know that there is no one to blame here. There are only two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is changing shape.’
Svitolina, the world number six, this week was confirmed to have qualified for the season-ending Women’s Tennis Association Finals.
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