"Even 10 minutes before the match, I had to talk with him" - Elina Svitolina describes relationship with Gael Monfils as 'great' with priorities outlined
WTA
Elina Svitolina is back in the knockout phase of the WTA Finals. It is her first time competing since 2019, but she still is the real deal with a brilliant 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 victory over the World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka to advance at the expense of her opponent.
It was a winner-takes-all contest in Indian Wells, and the stakes could not have been higher. Sabalenka got off to a brighter start, but Svitolina marched away and stole the first set with a flurry of games. The Belarusian responded to restore parity, but Svitolina would soon up the ante. While her flustered opponent struggled, Svitolina stayed cool and ticked off the final six games to book her spot in the semi-finals.
In her on-court interview, she did not shy away from acknowledging that it was a very tough task for her to defeat the four-time Grand Slam champion.
“It was an extremely tough match," she stated. "Especially mentally. I was just trying to play one point at a time and find my game, find the fighting spirit until the end. It was up and down a bit with the game. But I was very happy I could stick to my game plan, with all the support, thank you so much. It was really great. This is the tournament where you bring everything to the table and try to really play every game as the last one. Yeah, here I am in the semifinals.”
Enjoying people around her
Svitolina's mind is just not on tennis. As she continues to rise up the ranks, with a second WTA Finals title just two wins away, there is so much more on her mind that she is trying to free herself from. Speaking to the press after the win, she admitted that the tournament is not a way of escaping her demons.
"I wouldn’t say so because there’s still lots of things going on, social media, and lots of pressure, and lots of talking, negative talking on social media towards me," she said. "So, I wouldn’t say it’s an escape. In this situation you just want to be away from the media and all the social media. Try to deal with the best way that I can," Svitolina said.
Elina Svitolina has qualified for the knockout phase in her prior three WTA Finals involvements
The 32-year-old mentioned that her and Monfils were still on good terms after the separation, speaking before the match was about to start. "I have great people around me. And then most importantly, just being honest with you guys, we have a great relationship with Gael. Even 10 minutes before the match, I had to talk with him and we’re on good terms."
There was one priority above everything for Svitolina. "The most for us is to have our daughter being happy. It’s the most important priority for us."
Right after the victory, that is where she first mentioned her daughter, Skaï. “I know how hard it is working and taking care of a child of course. I miss my daughter Skaï a lot when I’m on the road. Unfortunately she’s not with me here. I know she’s sleeping peacefully now. Tomorrow I’m gonna have a FaceTime with her and have such a great moment, all this sweetness from her.”
Svitolina after beating Aryna Sabalenka at WTA Finals to reach the semifinals “To all the working moms out there who may have not wanted to go to work today, what do you have to say to all those moms?” Elina: “Inspiration for sure. I know how hard it is working and taking care of a child of course. I miss my daughter Skaï a lot when I’m on the road. Unfortunately she’s not with me here. I know she’s sleeping peacefully now. 😂Tomorrow I’m gonna have a FaceTime with her and have such a great moment, all this sweetness from her.” 🥹
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 13, 2026
Dealing with the negativity on daily basis
For Svitolina, there is so much on her mind. From breaking up with Monfils to the war in her home country and her tennis career all being constantly juggled around in her head as she tries to prioritise being a mother and tennis player. Social media can cause havoc with this.
"Every day is different," she said. "Sometimes when I feel overloaded, I try just to switch off all this, Instagram and other apps that are negative in a way and just focus on myself and my family.
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"And then some days, I’m okay. I’m used to it, with the war also, I think there’s lots of talking, lots of speculation, and lots of things thrown at me. Some days are better, some days are good and some days are bad, but I’m used to it. I have tough skin for this over the years with everything that I’ve been dealing with."
Svitolina's focus will soon be back on tennis. There is not much of a turnaround as she gets straight back onto the court to play the dangerous Linda Noskova. The Wimbledon champion has played some terrific tennis in Indian Wells, losing out to Jessica Pegula in her final match but still topping Group A. Svitolina will be full of confidence after her three-set wins over Karolina Muchova and Sabalenka, relishing the prospect of making a third consecutive WTA Finals final in editions that she has featured in.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
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- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
