Tennis Star Elina Svitolina: Her Personal Life Behind the Scenes in 15 Photos

Apart from her status as an iconic tennis star, Elina Svitolina is a mother and wife to fellow tennis legend Gaël Monfils, whom she met during a fateful night out in Paris years ago.

Ukrainian Tennis icon Elina Svitolina, who is set to face off against Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final on January 29, 2026, has been married to French Tennis star Gaël Monfils since 2021. Together, the two have built a charming love story as a tennis power couple.

A Fateful Night in Paris

Their fairytale began not on the pristine courts of a Grand Slam, but during a seemingly ordinary night in Paris… one that almost didn't happen. It was 2018, and Svitolina had just capped a stellar season with a triumphant win at the WTA Finals in Singapore, toppling Sloane Stephens in a gripping comeback match.

Exhausted yet elated, she returned to Paris to celebrate with friends. What followed was a twist of fate worthy of a romantic drama.

Monfils, also in Paris at the time, caught wind of her arrival through an Instagram photo Svitolina shared. The two had crossed paths before, but only in the periphery of tournaments; acquaintances in a whirlwind tour schedule that rarely allowed for anything deeper. This time, however, Monfils decided to reach out.

"I think I am going out with some friends if you want to have a drink with us," he texted her, teasingly adding later that her answer was, "Of course!"

But according to Svitolina, her initial response was a firm no. Still jet-lagged from her flight, the idea of heading out didn't appeal to her at first. Yet something shifted, whether it was curiosity, timing, or instinct, she changed her mind.

That evening in Paris, away from the cameras and crowds, the two connected beyond the game for the very first time. "It was nice. And it was the first time we could talk outside of tennis," Monfils would later share. "We really met each other, [I] met the real Elina."

That night would mark the true beginning of their story, not as players on parallel paths, but as two individuals finally stepping into each other's world.

From that point on, they were nearly inseparable, embarking on their first trip together to Ukraine after Wimbledon and discovering the quiet strength of a bond forged by shared passions, mutual understanding, and a rare kind of synchronicity.

The Shocking Split That Stunned Fans and Shattered Hearts

But even the most enchanting love stories aren't without their storms... After two years of growing together — on and off the court — Svitolina and Monfils hit an unexpected crossroads. In February 2021, fans were stunned when the beloved duo announced they had decided to take a break from their relationship.

The news came via a joint statement posted to their Instagram Stories. "The decision was incredibly difficult, because we still have love for each other," they wrote candidly. What followed wasn't a bitter farewell, but the quiet ache of two people choosing growth, reflection, and space over staying together for comfort's sake.

Calling themselves "two best friends" who simply needed time apart, the statement struck a chord with followers who had grown to admire not just their chemistry but the deep mutual respect they had always shown one another.

Their words reflected not just heartbreak, but maturity, a sincere hope that time and distance might illuminate the path forward, even if that meant walking separately for a while.

A Lavender Dream: The Day Svitolina and Monfils Said I Do

Time apart often reveals the depth of what's been lost, and in Svitolina and Monfils' case, it only deepened the love they already knew they shared. Despite the heartbreak that came with their early 2021 separation, the months that followed brought clarity, healing, and ultimately, reunion.

Not long after announcing their split, the two reconnected, this time with renewed purpose and commitment.

On July 19, 2021, the couple sealed their love in a stunning wedding ceremony that radiated joy, elegance, and unmistakable unity. In a series of photos shared by Svitolina on Instagram, the bride and groom beamed with love beneath a blue sky, standing hand in hand at the edge of a sparkling lake.

Svitolina wore a unique and graceful ivory jumpsuit with a soft lavender tulle overlay, while Monfils stood tall beside her in a matching lavender suit.

In one tender shot, their hands are clasped over a bouquet of purple hydrangeas, showcasing their stunning wedding bands as well as Svitolina's dazzling engagement ring. Her caption, simple yet powerful, reads, "Best day of my life ❤️," a heartfelt declaration that said it all.

The moment marked not just a new chapter but a celebration of resilience, growth, and love that refused to fade.

Baby Makes Three: Parenthood Adds a New Layer of Love

Just over a year after saying I do, Svitolina and Monfils welcomed their daughter, Skai, in October 2022. Parenthood added a new layer to their bond, one built on shared joy and deeper purpose.

Since then, the couple has gracefully balanced life on the court with life at home, embracing the challenges and rewards of raising a child while continuing to shine in their respective careers.

Svitolina Gets Candid About Motherhood's Demands

In 2024, Svitolina gave fans a heartfelt look into her life as a mother in a personal column for BBC Sport, written during the Australian Open. In it, she shared a deeply relatable moment for any parent. She recalled how she and Monfils had to postpone their travel plans after their daughter fell ill over Christmas, a moment that put everything into perspective.

"These are the sort of things you would not think about when you don't have a child. If a member of the team gets sick [sic] you just go anyway. Of course, it's very different when it is your child [...] Health is the priority," she wrote, reflecting on the six-hour emergency visit and how quickly parenting can shift priorities, even in the midst of a demanding tennis season.

Despite the challenges of new motherhood, Svitolina returned to the court just six months after giving birth in October 2022. By April 2023, she was back in top form, winning a WTA title in Strasbourg within the first four months of her return and making deep runs at both Roland Garros and the Wimbledon semifinals.

Now part of a growing group of tennis moms, Svitolina shared how conversations with players like Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki often revolve around their children, not their forehands. "Most of the chat is centred around motherhood and kids," she said. For Svitolina, this phase isn't a pause in her career; it's a powerful evolution of it.

Monfils Opens His Heart About Life Beyond Tennis

While Svitolina has openly embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood, Monfils has expressed a similarly touching perspective on family life. During a panel in 2025, when asked if winning a major tournament was his big dream, Monfils smiled and gently shifted the focus.

"My dream [...] is to be old and with a lot of kids and healthy [...] My dream is to have an unbelievable family," he said. "Tennis is cool [...], but my dream is out there." It was a quiet, honest moment, one that revealed just how deeply rooted his priorities had become in love, family, and a future built far beyond the court.

From chance encounters to championship courts, quiet hospital nights to wedding-day vows, Svitolina and Monfils have built a life filled with love, resilience, and shared dreams.

What began as a simple invitation on a Parisian night has since blossomed into a beautiful family journey, one worth celebrating both in words and in pictures.

Up next: a heartwarming look at the unforgettable moments that have shaped the tennis stars' story so far:

Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils' Beautiful Story Through Endearing Photos