"Let them live. Let them make their decisions because they're adults" - Andy Roddick laments 'ridiculous' criticism over Svitolina and Monfils split

The fallout from the big news away from the tennis courts continues, with Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils having gone their separate ways. Former US Open champion, Andy Roddick, lashed out at fans who were having their say about the situation with numerous hate messages being sent their way.

The decision was seemingly not an easy one to make but stemmed from Svitolina. They met in 2018, marrying three years later and even having a daughter together named Skai. It was one of tennis' most prominent relationships, with both of them supporting each other on and off the court.

Monfils was enjoying his last ever campaign on the ATP Tour, with retirement imminent. He would call his tennis career to a sudden halt as this news came public, deciding not to go to the Paris Masters.

Both players put out statements on social media, Svitolina confirming the news and Monfils condemning any hate being spiralled towards his former partner. Many tennis fans were displeased about the reasons for the split, unhappy about it.

Roddick was set to move on to the fact that Svitolina made it into the WTA Finals for the first time since 2019, but he altered his trajectory slightly to address the split between Svitolina and Monfils. He attempted to urge the fans to let them complete their own decision-making without judgement and criticism being the result.

We see Svitolina made the [WTA] Finals," he said on his Served podcast. "We didn't address their business with her and Gael and the divorce. The fact that they're still having to address it based on other people's feedback is ridiculous. Let them live. Let them make their decisions because they're adults. Let them get through it. They don't need input. Let them be. Let them figure their stuff out. We wish them both all the best."

There is still a lot of tennis to be played in 2026, especially for Svitolina, who will now have to focus once more as she searches for glory in Indian Wells. She won the 2018 WTA Finals before reaching the final a year later, losing out to Ashleigh Barty.

She was one of the final players to confirm their spot in the event after enjoying a brilliant season. She won two WTA titles, the Rome Open the most significant, while also reaching another WTA 1000 final in Dubai. While her form slowed down towards the end of the year, that can be put forward to events occurring away from the court.

It was supposed to be a productive period for both players, but Monfils opted to cancel any farewell plans, abruptly and suddenly ending his time as a tennis player with his last competitive match coming at the US Open in a straight sets defeat to Learner Tien.

There will not be any emotional goodbye's at the Paris Masters on home soil as he looks to get back on his feet away from the court and begin a new life without his former partner by his side.