Who Is Gaël Monfils? Meet Elina Svitolina’s Husband and French Tennis Star

Elina Svitolina has long been one of the most recognisable names in women’s tennis, known for her consistency, resilience, and major career milestones. The Ukrainian star broke into the world’s top ten in 2017, won an Olympic bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2020, and secured multiple doubles titles at the Istanbul Cup. Her achievements have also earned her prestigious honours, including being named an Honorary Citizen of Kharkiv and a place on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list in 2020.

Svitolina is currently in the spotlight once again as she competes in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on January 29, 2026 (ET), after a strong quarter-final win earlier this week. Alongside her on-court success, fans are increasingly curious about her personal life—particularly her marriage to fellow tennis professional Gaël Monfils.

Gaël Monfils: A Veteran of the Game

Gaël Sébastien Monfils has enjoyed a long and celebrated career in professional tennis. Inspired by legend Arthur Ashe, Monfils once considered basketball as an alternative path before committing fully to tennis. Known for his athleticism and flair, he is also a skilled break dancer, a talent that has contributed to his entertaining style of play. Fans often refer to him by nicknames such as “Lamonf” and “Sliderman.”

Career Highlights and Records

Monfils’ career is marked by longevity and consistency. In 2025, he made history as the oldest champion on the ATP Tour after winning the Auckland title. With more than 500 career victories, multiple long winning streaks, and 13 ATP Tour titles—including ATP 500 wins in Washington and Rotterdam—Monfils has remained a force on the circuit. He also enjoyed a successful junior career, winning titles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

How Their Love Story Began

Svitolina and Monfils’ relationship traces back to Paris. After Svitolina’s triumph at the 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore, Monfils reached out, and the two celebrated together with friends in Paris. Although they had crossed paths at tournaments for years, their relationship developed gradually, as Monfils was mindful of Svitolina’s past commitments.

From Engagement to Family Life

The couple announced their engagement in April 2021 and tied the knot just a few months later in July. Since then, they have shared glimpses of their life together, including through a joint social media presence. In October 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Skai, adding a new chapter to their journey as one of tennis’ most admired power couples.