Elina Svitolina & Gael Monfils played doubles for the Stars of the Open exhibition for Ukraine last night. Don’t mess with the Monfils family on a mission. 💙💛
Tennis couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils played doubles together at the recent Stars of the Open exhibition for Ukraine, a charity event held at the US Open venue ahead of the Slam.
Stars of the WTA and ATP Tours joined forces on Wednesday night, August 23, in an effort to raise money for the relief effort in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict caused by Russia's invasion of the country in February 2022.
The event took place in Louis Armstrong Stadium and featured Ukrainian player Svitolina and her French husband Monfils, alongside the likes of Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Matteo Berrettini and Christopher Eubanks. Former players John McEnroe and Gabriela Sabatini were also present.
Former world No. 3 Svitolina teamed up with husband Monfils, himself a former world No. 6, for the event. The couple played against the team of Brady and Eubanks, with one Instagram user sharing a clip of the couple with the caption "Monfils family is playing for [Ukraine - alluded to with blue and yellow love heart emojis, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.]"
The Tennis Letter shared the video on Twitter with the following caption:
"Elina Svitolina & Gael Monfils played doubles for the Stars of the Open exhibition for Ukraine last night.
Don’t mess with the Monfils family on a mission," also followed by blue and yellow love heart emojis.
Another highlight of the night was seeing world No. 3 Pegula pair up with 64-year-old tennis star McEnroe to play against Berrettini and Sabatini in a mixed doubles match, giving fans an exciting display of different tennis generations working together.
Overall, the event raised $320,000 for Ukraine in front of a capacity crowd.
Elina Svitolina & Gael Monfils played doubles for the Stars of the Open exhibition for Ukraine last night. Don’t mess with the Monfils family on a mission. 💙💛