Gael Monfils recently discussed how his wife, Elina Svitolina, and his agent persuaded him to reconsider after he had decided to leave professional tennis.
On July 16, 2021, Monfils and his girlfriend Svitolina tied the knot after announcing their engagement in 2019. The couple then welcomed their daughter Skai on October 15 and have been adapting their workload ever since to make time for their baby. Before their appearance in the ASB Classic in Auckland, Monfils spoke in an interview and stated concerns about his agency and Svitolina.
Monfils accomplished an incredible comeback a few months ago when he won the 2023 Stockholm Open. It was his second victory in Sweden and his first since January 2022.
In addition to becoming the lowest-ranked player to win the tournament in history, he became the fourth 37-year-old to win an ATP title since 1990. From the stand, Svitolina observed her husband’s victory.
Monfils expressed his thoughts after the news about his retirement went viral and said: “The reality is, I love the sport. It’s something I can’t deny, and it’s just amazing to be out there. I’ve had a couple of moments where I’ve had tough conversations with Nicolas (his agent) and Elina. But I’m happy with everything I’ve done. When I’m playing, I’m quite okay, but I won’t lie, recovering is tougher. I have to work differently with my fitness, but I try to make sure it’s just a number.”
He added: “I’m happy in my life; I don’t need more; I just want to enjoy this, and I guess Nicolas and Elina have had good words to push me to go a bit more. Inside, I don’t want to stop, but of course, it is tougher to travel and make sacrifices. But I’ve still got this little fire, and that helps me keep going. When I’m playing, I’m quite okay, but I won’t lie, recovering is tougher. I need to do a different rehab.”
Gael Monfils says Elina Svitolina & his agent have encouraged him to keep going:
“The reality is I love the sport.. I really enjoy being on a tennis court. It’s something I can’t deny & it’s just amazing to be out there. I’ve had a couple of moments where I’ve had tough… pic.twitter.com/NA7LP3GjtA
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 26, 2023
Gael Monfils in 2023
Now ranked no.74, the French player played his last match on the 31st of October when he was defeated by world no.21 Francisco Cerundolo 4-6 7-6(2) 7-5 in the 1st round in Paris (draw).
Currently, during this year Gael has achieved an overall 16-15 win-loss record. The French player conquered 1 title in Stockholm.
He is also scheduled to play at the Australian Open (Australian Open) after Auckland. The main draw will start on the 8th of January.
Elina Svitolina in 2023
LWWWLWLWWL Currently ranked no.25, the Ukrainian played her last match on the 2nd of September when she lost to world no.5 Jessica Pegula 6-4 4-6 6-2 in the 3rd round of the U.S. Open (draw).
This season the Ukrainian has a composed 21-12 match record. Elina clinched 1 title in Strasbourg.
