Monfils defends Svitolina after marriage separation

Gael Monfils defended Elina Svitolina after the Ukrainian tennis player faced online criticism following their announcement that their marriage was ending. He said she did not owe the public an explanation and urged people to respect her decision, adding that the two would continue to care for each other as co-parents. Svitolina said the war’s effects on her mental and emotional wellbeing, including sleepless nights and a growing sense of losing herself, had led her to conclude she could not find her way back to herself within the marriage. She described the decision as difficult and said there was no one to blame. Her explanation reflects her account of the circumstances; the reports do not independently establish the causes of the separation. Monfils said he was grateful for Svitolina’s support and love over the years, while objecting to the hostility directed at her. He said the public might not understand her reasons but that a relationship involves experiences that cannot all be explained in a social-media post. He also said they remained a family and would continue supporting one another, particularly as parents to their daughter, Skai. The couple’s announcement came...