Monfils calls criticism of Svitolina "venomous" after split

Gael Monfils has described criticism of his former wife, Elina Svitolina, as "venomous" and "upsetting", as the pair's separation draws public attention.

The couple married in 2021 and split after five years together. They have a four-year-old daughter, Skai. Svitolina announced the end of the marriage on October 19, 2026, and Reuters reported that she cited the emotional toll of the war in Ukraine as part of the reason.

On Friday, October 23, Monfils issued a statement defending Svitolina. He said he is forever grateful for her support and love over the years. He also said the criticism she has faced was hard to read. Most of the reaction to the split, according to the Telegraph, had been on his side.

"Elina and I may no longer be a couple, but we are still a family," Monfils said in the BBC's report.

Monfils is a former world number six, which means he was ranked sixth best in the world at his peak. The ranking is based on results over the past year. He has won 13 titles on the ATP Tour, the men's professional circuit, and has reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam twice. The Grand Slams are the four biggest tournaments in the sport, and the semi-finals are the last four players standing in each.

His next steps are away from the court. He is expected to play an exhibition event in Geneva in December alongside Stan Wawrinka, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. An exhibition is a match played for fun, and it does not count towards rankings. He is also preparing to start a new career in finance after joining a Swiss wealth management firm, a company that manages investments for private clients.

For fans following the story, the message from Monfils is clear. He wants the criticism to stop, and he wants people to remember that the family is still a family.