Svitolina Feels the Pull of Monfils’ Farewell
Elina Svitolina reflects on the intimate challenges of supporting Gael Monfils through his 2026 retirement, even as she advances deep at Indian Wells with a signature blend of grit and grace.
In the shimmering heat of Indian Wells, where shadows stretch long across the hard courts, Elina Svitolina paused after her quarterfinal upset over Iga Swiatek at the BNP Paribas Open. The win sharpened her focus, but beneath it swirled the personal currents of her husband Gael Monfils' decision to close out his career at the end of 2026. The 39-year-old Frenchman, whose flair has lit up arenas for two decades, kicked off the event with a solid first-round victory before Felix Auger-Aliassime edged him out in the second, his flat serves and precise returns exposing the toll of time.
Svitolina’s connection to Monfils spans the tour’s rhythms—from early admiration for his explosive athleticism to shared life since their 2021 marriage. She first processed his retirement thoughts last September, a revelation that reshaped their daily exchanges amid the circuit’s demands. Now, as 2026 unfolds, she navigates the blend of his on-court adjustments and off-court reflections, her own matches serving as anchors in the flux.
“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.”
Absorbing retirement’s quiet pressure
The announcement landed like a deep lob, forcing Svitolina to reckon with the end of Monfils' era while she honed her own game on these sun-scorched courts. She recalls his breakthrough moments, those inside-out forehands that flipped points in an instant, now part of a more measured approach as he conserves energy for decisive rallies. Her support mirrors the tactical patience she employs—varying spin on backhands to disrupt opponents, much like she listens through his silences after tough losses.
Monfils’ style, built on quick reflexes and improvisational slices, demands mental resets at this stage, especially after exchanges where Auger-Aliassime‘s pace tested his retrievals. Svitolina stays present, offering words during recovery or quiet solidarity in practice sessions, letting the season’s momentum carry them forward. This intimacy turns every tournament into a shared point, where his 1–2 patterns of serve and groundstroke follow-up blend with their family routine.
“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.”
Navigating support in the tour’s grind
Courtside at Indian Wells, Svitolina witnesses Monfils adapting his game to the hard courts’ speed, where heavy topspin helps him redirect aggressive returns into crosscourt winners. Her role extends beyond observation; she draws from her own tactical evolutions—like the deep returns that neutralized Swiatek’s power—to bolster his resolve during extended points. The desert’s dry air amplifies every grunt and footfall, underscoring the physical and emotional layers they face together.
As the calendar progresses, Svitolina emphasizes simple presence over elaborate plans, talking through strategies or simply absorbing the post-match quiet. Monfils’ charisma, once pulling crowds with diving volleys, now channels into focused efforts, his underspin backhands keeping rallies alive longer than before. She balances this with her ascent, turning potential distractions into fuel for her inside-in forehands that carve the lines.
“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.
Clay swing promises heartfelt peaks
The European clay season beckons as an emotional crescendo, with Roland Garros at its heart, where Monfils has captivated French fans for nearly two decades through gritty defenses and pinpoint drop shots. The red dirt’s grip favors his topspin loops and sliding footwork, turning baseline duels into displays of endurance that test his final reserves. Svitolina foresees the intensity—not just the matches, but the tributes and farewells echoing under the Paris lights.
For their family, these stops weave professional pursuits with personal milestones, the slower surface demanding adjustments like deeper positioning to counter high bounces. Svitolina’s experience on clay, blending aggression with defensive depth, informs her encouragement as he refines one–two combinations for longer exchanges. The mixture of anticipation and ache defines their path, transforming the tour into a final, unforgettable chapter.
“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.”
Embracing the swirl of emotions, Svitolina lets the season’s highs and lows unfold naturally, her quarterfinal run a testament to resilience amid change. As Monfils charts his closing volleys, from Indian Wells’ precision to clay’s drama, their bond fortifies the journey ahead. The tour’s unpredictability promises more rallies laced with meaning, etching memories that outlast any scoreboard.
“[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.”
