Gael Monfils’ final appearance at the Australian Open ended on a sad note. No one felt it more deeply than his wife, Elina Svitolina. On October 1, the former World No. 6 announced that he would retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season. Reacting to that, Svitolina initially responded with a touching message, saying that she “cannot wait” to be part of the next chapter of his life. That emotion resurfaced once again today.

“Of course, I was very, very sad yesterday,” Svitolina admitted about Monfils, after securing a win over Linda Klimovicova, 7-5, 6-1, in the second round.

When asked if she gave Monfils a hard time after the loss, Svitolina laughed off the suggestion.

“No, no, no. He played here so many years,” Monfils’ wife said. “I think for all of us it’s such a pleasure to have him for the last year here. Finishing the year in October, it’s going to be a really special year for him. I’m very fortunate to be next to him and share this moment.”

Monfils bowed out after a tough defeat to Australian Dane Sweeny, 7-6(3), 5-7, 4-6, 5-7.

The post-match conversation then shifted to Monfils’ role in Svitolina’s team as he winds down his own career. With Monfils joking that he would now simply be there to support his wife’s journey, she sweetly echoed that sentiment with warmth and humor.

“He’s just a husband, I would say,” she said. “It’s difficult to escape, not to talk about tennis. Because being both at such a high level and competing in the same tournament, of course, tennis is always a part of our life right now.”

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Looking ahead, Svitolina emphasized that family will take priority once Monfils officially steps away from the sport. As the 39-year-old French star prepares for his final season on Tour, his partner remains by his side, balancing her own ambitions with the emotions of a career slowly coming to a close.

Why Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils are the best power couple in sport

In a sport defined by individual battles, Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have built something rare – a partnership that thrives both on and off the court. From social media interactions to becoming tennis’ most admired couple, their journey has been showered with love and unwavering support for each other.

Svitolina and Monfils first connected online before taking their relationship public in 2019. What followed was a whirlwind romance that saw them get engaged on April 3, 2021, and marry just a few months later on July 16. They welcomed their daughter, Skai, into this world on October 15, 2022 – a moment both have described as life-changing.

Their support for each other is frequently seen on the biggest stages. During the 2024 French Open, Svitolina openly urged the Paris crowd to get behind Monfils.

“We do not know how many years we are both going to be playing on tour,” Svitolina said. “We try to enjoy ourselves. I enjoy watching him. Hopefully, we will see you all tonight with amazing support.”

Gael Monfils, in turn, has never hidden his admiration for his wife, particularly after her comeback following the birth of their child. He has repeatedly praised Svitolina’s mental and physical strength, calling her an “excellent and great mother.”

Competing in the same tournaments has brought both joy and pressure. Monfils once joked that it feels like playing “two matches instead of one” because they care so deeply about each other’s results. Still, they see it as a blessing, especially with their daughter traveling alongside them.

Speaking at the 2025 AO, he described his dream of growing old with “an unbelievable family,” making it clear that fatherhood has reshaped his priorities. He has openly said that being a good dad to Skai is now his most important role, far more significant than tennis.

That shift in perspective has also influenced how the couple balances their careers and personal lives.

After the first-round win at the 2026 AO, Svitolina spoke warmly about having her husband in the corner, calling it “special” to share the journey with someone who understands every emotion that comes with life on Tour.

Their love story is not just about romantic posts on social media but about growing together through victories, setbacks, and the beautiful chaos of family life.