In the high-stakes world of professional tennis, where careers can flicker out as quickly as they ignite, Gaël Monfils stands as a testament to resilience, charisma, and an unshakable love for the game. At 38, the French showman continues to dazzle fans with his acrobatic flair and infectious energy, defying the odds in a sport that often chews up and spits out even the most talented players. But behind the highlight-reel dives and gravity-defying shots lies a story of a man who nearly walked away from it all five years ago—until an unexpected force pulled him back from the brink.
It was the spring of 2020, a time when the world ground to a halt, and tennis courts fell silent under the weight of the global pandemic. Monfils, then a Top 10 player riding the crest of a stellar career, found himself adrift. The empty stadiums, stripped of the roaring crowds that fueled his electric performances, felt like a hollow shell of the sport he’d known for nearly two decades. “If I hadn’t met Elina, I would’ve retired already—no doubt about it,” he recently confessed, his voice carrying the weight of that pivotal moment. “I think I would’ve called it quits after COVID. At that time, I was still in the Top 10, but it meant nothing to me. Empty stadiums… it was a different energy. I just felt it wasn’t for me anymore.”
That “Elina” is none other than Elina Svitolina, the Ukrainian tennis star who would become his wife and the linchpin of his remarkable comeback. Their romance, which blossomed in 2019 and culminated in marriage two years later, wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a lifeline for Monfils’ career. As he grappled with the monotony of lockdown tennis, Svitolina reignited a fire that had begun to flicker. “My wife literally saved me,” he admitted, a smile breaking through as he reflected on her role. “She brought it back—that passion, that drive. Sometimes it’s burning bright, sometimes it’s barely a flame, but she knew how to keep it alive.”
Five years on, Monfils’ gratitude for Svitolina shines through as he continues to defy Father Time. His 2025 season has been nothing short of sensational, a rollercoaster that began with a record-breaking triumph in Auckland, where he became the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title since the circuit’s inception in 1990. At the Australian Open, he rolled back the years, toppling world No. 4 Taylor Fritz in a tactical masterclass and reaching the fourth round—only to retire against Ben Shelton in a grueling three-hour epic, his body finally succumbing to the strain. Yet, even in defeat, his spirit remained unbroken, a testament to the spark Svitolina had rekindled.
Their partnership extends beyond the emotional. When Monfils suffered a debilitating foot injury in 2022, sidelining him for months, Svitolina was there, pushing him through recovery as she prepared for her own comeback after the birth of their daughter, Skaï. “I started to tell Elina that maybe it was time to stop,” he recalled of those dark days. But her belief in him—coupled with the joy of fatherhood—shifted his perspective. The couple’s shared journey back to the court, balancing parenthood with the grind of professional tennis, has forged a bond that’s as much about resilience as it is about love.
Monfils’ career is a tapestry of near-misses and dazzling peaks. A former world No. 6 with 13 ATP titles, he’s reached two Grand Slam semifinals and countless quarter-finals, often falling just short of the ultimate prize. Yet, his flair—those leaping volleys, impossible retrieves, and mid-match dance moves—has made him a fan favorite, a player who transcends results. The pandemic could have been the curtain call for that legacy, a quiet exit for a man whose game thrives on spectacle. Instead, Svitolina’s influence turned it into a new beginning.
Today, ranked No. 42 and still chasing Olympic dreams after competing in Paris 2024, Monfils is a living paradox: a veteran who plays with the exuberance of a rookie, a father who slides across the court like a teenager. His recent reflections reveal a man at peace with his journey, yet hungry for more. “She’s why I’m still here,” he said of Svitolina, his words a tribute to the woman who saw beyond the emptiness of 2020 and urged him to keep going. That decision has paid off in spades—not just in titles or rankings, but in the sheer joy he continues to bring to the sport.
As Monfils prepares for the clay season, fans can’t help but marvel at his staying power. The injuries still come—his Australian Open exit a stark reminder of his physical limits—but so do the victories, each one a defiance of the retirement whispers that once loomed. Five years ago, he stood at a crossroads, ready to hang up his racquet. Now, with Svitolina by his side and Skaï in the stands, he’s writing a chapter few saw coming—a story of love, redemption, and a fire that refuses to fade.