In an emotionally raw and heartbreaking press conference held earlier today, French tennis star Gael Monfils broke down in tears as he opened up about the shocking withdrawal of his wife, Elina Svitolina, from the upcoming US Open. His emotional confession revealed the heavy toll the sport has taken on her physically, mentally, and emotionally — and the devastating possibility that she may never return to professional tennis again.
Monfils, known for his charisma and passion on the court, appeared visibly shaken as he addressed the media. With a trembling voice and tear-filled eyes, he began:
“It’s awful. She’s been suffering for a long time. People see her strength and her fight, but they don’t see the pain she hides when the cameras are off. I hope she gets through this. I hope we all support her — and each other.”
The tennis world had been stunned earlier this week when Elina Svitolina, a former world No. 3 and a fan favorite, quietly announced her withdrawal from the US Open without providing much detail. Today, Monfils provided the heartbreaking context behind that decision.
According to him, the pressure to return too quickly after giving birth to their daughter and the relentless demands of the tour have left Svitolina mentally and physically drained.
“She wanted to come back strong after becoming a mother,” Monfils shared. “She trained through exhaustion, smiled through pain, and never stopped giving everything she had — but sometimes, that’s not enough.”
He recalled a particularly painful moment at Wimbledon, when he begged her not to play.
“At Wimbledon I stopped her,” he said, wiping tears from his face. “I could see it in her eyes. She wasn’t okay. I told her, ‘You don’t have to prove anything.’ But she insisted. She said she owed it to the fans, to herself. She played, but she couldn’t give her 100 percent.”
The performance, though brave, was a turning point. Svitolina has reportedly been battling physical injuries, emotional fatigue, and the quiet pressure of balancing motherhood with a professional career under the world’s spotlight.
There were days she couldn’t sleep. Days she cried in silence. No one saw that,” Monfils continued. “Now, the doctors have advised her to stop. Not just for her body, but for her mind. And we’re listening.”
Perhaps the most shocking part of the press conference came when Monfils acknowledged that retirement is being seriously discussed behind closed doors.
“Yes, retirement is on the table,” he admitted. “It’s not what any of us wanted. But I want her to be happy. I want her to be healthy. If that means walking away from the game, then that’s what we’ll do.”
The news has sent shockwaves throughout the tennis community. Svitolina has long been admired not just for her skill and determination, but for her resilience in the face of adversity — including returning to professional tennis less than a year after becoming a mother.
Fans across the world have flooded social media with messages of support, using hashtags like #StayStrongElina and #ThankYouSvitolina. Fellow players, including Iga Świątek and Ons Jabeur, have voiced their love and admiration for the Ukrainian champion.
