Gaël Monfils calls the criticism aimed at Elina Svitolina since their split announcement 'venomous' and 'upsetting' — and he's not staying quiet.
Gaël Monfils, one of the most electrifying and best-loved Black stars in world tennis and a hero to fans across the African diaspora, has stepped up to protect Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian has faced a wave of criticism since the couple announced the end of their marriage.
Monfils did not soften his language. He described the reaction aimed at Svitolina as "venomous" and "upsetting", a clear sign that he feels she has been treated unfairly at a moment that is already deeply personal for both of them.
The intervention matters because Monfils has always played with flair and openness, and his fans know him as a showman with a big heart. Here he is using his platform to push back on negativity rather than let it go unchallenged, while the split itself stays a private matter between two people.
Both Monfils and Svitolina are among the most recognisable names on the tour, so the attention on their personal lives was always likely to be intense. His message is simple: behind the headlines are real people, and the cruelty is not welcome.
