Elina Svitolina embracing ‘emotional’ final season of Gael Monfils’ career | ATP Tour

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Svitolina embracing ‘emotional’ final season of Monfils’ career

Svitolina opens up on Monfils’ impending retirement

March 13, 2026

As Gael Monfils prepares to finish his storied career at the end of 2026, few people understand the emotions of the moment better than his wife, Elina Svitolina.

Speaking at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after her quarter-final victory against Iga Swiatek, Svitolina reflected on Monfils’ decision to make the 2026 season his last on Tour. The 39-year-old Frenchman, one of the sport’s most charismatic performers, won his opening match in the California desert before falling in the second round to Felix Auger-Aliassime.

For Svitolina, the reality of Monfils’ impending retirement began to sink in months ago.

“I think for me the most difficult bit was when he really told me,” Svitolina said. “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 multiple perspectives. First as a fellow player watching from afar, and later as a partner 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 said. “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 final season inevitably carries moments of reflection, Svitolina said her role is simply to be present as Monfils navigates the closing stretch of his career.

“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 said.

Several stops on the calendar are expected to carry particular meaning, especially the European clay swing and Roland Garros, where Monfils has thrilled French crowds for nearly two decades.

“I think Europe, Roland Garros time will be really emotional for him,” Svitolina said. “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 said the family is embracing the mixture of feelings that accompanies such a moment.

“[The] only thing you can do is just live around these emotions,” Svitolina said. “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.”