Gael Monfils has described the criticism of his wife Elina Svitolina as “poisonous” and “boring” after the announcement of their separation.
Svitolina announced the end of one of tennis’s most high-profile relationships in an emotional Instagram post earlier this week, where she attributed the split in part to the mental toll of Russia’s ongoing war in her native Ukraine.
This sparked a wave of online hostility towards the world No 6, which grew when she later confirmed that the end of her marriage had caused Monfils to retire earlier than planned.
The 40-year-old Frenchman was due to bow out at the Paris Masters next month, but his second-round loss to Learner Tien at the US Open ended up being his last as a professional.
Monfils came to Svitolina’s defense in an Instagram post on Friday, saying: “Although she didn’t owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak in a vulnerable and honest way about her reasons for this decision.
“She did it the best way she knew how. Many decided that her explanation wasn’t perfect enough, and Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I’ve found unseemly at best and venomous at worst.
“Elina and I may not be a couple anymore, but we are still a family, although my heart hurts, I am always grateful for her support and love over the years.
“While I am deeply grateful that the public feels so invested in my happiness, I have found the lack of grace and kindness shown to Elina upsetting.
“While some may not understand her reasons, or agree with them, please remember that there is much more that goes on in a relationship behind the scenes that cannot be explained in one post.
“Elina has her battles to fight, just as I have mine. I respect her choices and her reasons, and we will continue to support and care deeply for each other, especially as two people who share a child.”
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Gael Monfils has revealed what he plans to do after retiring from tennis after losing to Learner Tien in the second round of the US Open.
Svitolina – a four-time Grand Slam semi-finalist – and former world No. 6 Monfils married in 2021 and have a four-year-old daughter named Skai.
In her social media post announcing their split, Svitolina said she realized she needed to reinvent herself and could no longer do so within her marriage.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to share,” she wrote.
“Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. What I’ve rarely talked about is what the war inside has done to me.
“Over time, I realized that I have to find my way back to myself and that I can’t do that within our marriage.
“It’s the hardest truth I’ve ever had to face and the hardest thing I’ve ever had to tell the person I love. Gael listened. He’s respected what I need with a strength and grace I’ll never forget.”
She added: “Skai will always come first, our marriage is ending but our family is not.
“Please know that there is no one to blame here. It is just two people who loved each other deeply and a story that is changing shape.”
Just a few months ago Svitolina and Monfils had joined forces to reach the US Open mixed doubles semi-finals.
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Wuhan Open quarter-final highlights between Elina Svitolina and Sonay Kartal.
Svitolina and Monfils had impressed in the tournament until they faced Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the last four.
Svitolina was recently in action at the Wuhan Open but was up against an inspired Sonay Kartal, with the Brit winning their quarter-final match in three sets.
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