“The separation from Elina hurt me deeply”: Gael Monfils breaks silence on Svitolina separation as Paris Masters farewell is confirmed

Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at 02:30

Gael Monfils has opened up about the emotional toll of his separation from Elina Svitolina, revealing how the personal difficulties affected his ability to train and ultimately contributed to his decision to retire earlier than planned. The Frenchman announced his retirement on October 5, bringing an early end to a career that had made him one of the most popular figures in tennis.

Speaking during a livestream on his Twitch channel, Monfils offered a candid account of the challenges he faced while preparing for the final stage of his career. The 39-year-old admitted that the separation had left him struggling mentally and physically, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the standards he expected of himself on the court.

His announcement also came with news of a special farewell ceremony at the Paris Masters, where Monfils will have the opportunity to address his home crowd in person.

The tribute is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, following the first night-session match, giving French tennis fans a chance to celebrate one of their most recognisable players.

Monfils opens up on emotional toll of Svitolina separation

Monfils married Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina in 2021, and the separation has proved particularly difficult for the Frenchman as he navigated the final months of his professional career.

During his livestream, he spoke openly about the impact it had on his everyday life and preparation. “The separation from Elina hurt me deeply,” the former world No. 6 admitted. “We're human, we have our own problems and we don't necessarily control what we want. This separation didn't leave me unaffected.”

The Frenchman explained that the emotional strain made it difficult to train as he normally would, with the consequences extending beyond the tennis court. “For people who have been in my situation, going through a breakup isn't easy, and when it's happening, I can't train the way I want, I'm not at my best mentally."

Monfils was equally candid about the effect on his physical routine and general well-being, explaining that he could not simply ignore what he was going through and continue as normal.

“I'm not going to pretend, I eat less, I do everything less well,” he revealed. “I talk with my family and loved ones, and that pushed me to ask myself: ‘Am I going to be strong enough in training, in my preparation?’”

The questions became especially significant given the emotional demands of bringing a long career to a close. “It's already very hard to step onto the court for the end of a career, with emotions you don't know, and when you're also hurting and have to look ahead, I just didn't find it possible to play."

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A post shared by Gael Monfils (@iamgaelmonfils)

Paris Masters to give Monfils a special farewell

Although his retirement announcement came during a difficult period, Monfils will now have the opportunity to say goodbye to the French crowd at one of the most important tournaments of his career. He confirmed that the Paris Masters will organise a tribute ceremony on Tuesday, November 3, following the first night-session match, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Monfils expressed his gratitude to the French tennis community for the support he has received throughout his career, describing the connection between players, fans and the wider tennis family as particularly meaningful.

“I would like to thank the French tennis family, they all supported me, all of them, we're a beautiful big family, it's important to me, across all generations, thank you isn't enough."

Une dernière fois, Paris célébrera Gaël 💙 Le mardi 3 novembre, le Rolex Paris Masters rendra hommage à Gaël Monfils et à son immense carrière, là où il a écrit quelques-unes des plus belles pages de son histoire ✨ Rendez-vous en session de soirée pour célébrer La Monf’ comme il se doit 🇫🇷 #RolexParisMasters
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) October 26, 2026

The former world No. 6 also thanked the tournament organisers and the French Tennis Federation for making the ceremony possible. For him, the opportunity to address the fans in person matters more than the scale of the event itself.

“There will be a big show, I can't wait, and I'll be able to say goodbye to the French crowd in person, and that's really cool,” Monfils added. “We talked a lot with Cédric (Pioline, tournament director), I'm close to him. It will be much shorter than at Roland-Garros, they're going to organize it, we'll take our time but there's a second match after it!”

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Monfils also acknowledged that he was stepping back from the organisation of the tribute because he did not currently have the mental space to manage every detail, although he remained fully supportive of the plans.

“Right now I'm stepping back from the organization, for several reasons, I don't necessarily have the headspace for it, but I was 100% on board, I really want to say goodbye and thank you to the French crowd in person.”

The ceremony will offer Monfils a final opportunity to thank the supporters who followed him across generations. After revealing the personal difficulties that contributed to his early retirement, the Frenchman will now be able to close this chapter of his career in front of his home crowd at the Paris Masters.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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