When Gaël Monfils wrote about having “everything” in a heartfelt Instagram post this week, tennis fans got a rare glimpse into what matters most to the French star. The emotional letter celebrating his fourth wedding anniversary with Elina Svitolina revealed a side of Monfils that is focused entirely on family and the quiet moments that define a life together.
How Did Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina Build Their Family Life Off the Court?
The journey to this anniversary began in 2018 when Monfils and Svitolina started dating. They made their relationship public in early 2019, showing the tennis world that two elite competitors could find love across the sport’s demanding schedule.
Their relationship moved quickly from that point. The couple got engaged in April 2021 and tied the knot just three months later in July of that year. They chose Geneva, Switzerland, for their picturesque ceremony, creating the foundation for what would become a tight-knit family unit.
Just over a year later, in October 2022, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Skaï. While both players often post updates about their careers and tournament results, they’ve chosen to keep most of their family life out of the spotlight. Their daughter especially remains protected from the public eye.
This week’s anniversary post broke from that pattern. Monfils shared a cozy family photo and poured his heart out in the caption. “Four years ago, we got married. Since that day, we’ve been building a life full of love, laughter, and beautiful memories,” he wrote.
“Today, I look at this photo… and I realize I have everything. Seeing you both is my greatest victory. Thank you for being there, thank you for being you. I love you both more than anything.”
The post came just days after he and Svitolina wrapped up their Wimbledon campaigns. Monfils battled through a hard-fought five-set loss to Márton Fucsovics in the second round, while Svitolina reached the third round before falling to Belgium’s Elise Mertens.
How Did Svitolina Pull Monfils Back from Retirement?
Beyond the anniversary celebration, Monfils has been open about the crucial role Svitolina played during one of the most challenging periods of his career. He credited his wife for helping him stay in the game during a tough stretch that nearly ended his professional tennis journey.
In a YouTube chat with Gilles Simon, Monfils revealed that Svitolina supported him through the COVID-19 pandemic, when he nearly considered retirement. The empty stadiums and changed atmosphere of professional tennis during that period left him questioning whether he wanted to continue competing.
“If I hadn’t met Elina, I would’ve retired already… no doubt. I think I would’ve called it quits after COVID. At that time, I was still in the top 10, but it meant nothing to me. Empty stadiums… it was a different energy. I just felt it wasn’t for me anymore,” he said. (translated from French)
MORE: Elina Svitolina Discloses How Being a Mother to Her and Gaël Monfils’ Daughter Skaï Impacted Her Tennis Life
However, Svitolina found the right approach to motivate him during this difficult period. She used her own experience as a mother returning to professional tennis to help him see a path forward.
“Elina… she found the right words. She said to me, ‘Look, I’m coming back after giving birth… so you can do it too.’ She gave me motivation. I told her, ‘I need a clear goal,’ we set one together. She helped me immensely,” he added.
The conversation shows how their partnership extends beyond their personal life into their professional careers. While both continue competing at the highest level of tennis, their family foundation provides the stability and motivation that keeps them both going.
