After 21 years of passion, energy, and unforgettable moments on the court, French tennis star Gaël Monfils has decided it’s time to say goodbye to his professional career. Fans who grew up watching his exciting style know how big this moment is.
But what touched hearts even more was the message from his wife, world No. 13 Elina Svitolina, who shared her feelings in an emotional note that left many in tears as Monfils prepares for his farewell.
What Did Elina Svitolina Say on Gaël Monfils’ Retirement Update?
Monfils began his professional career in 2004 and has been a fixture on the ATP Tour for over 20 years. He stepped into a bigger part of his life after marrying Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina in July 2021, and the couple now shares a daughter. With family life taking greater priority, the Frenchman confirmed that he will bring his career to a close after the 2026 season, marking the end of one of the most colorful journeys in modern tennis.
Preparing herself for the saddening situation, Svitolina stepped forward to express her thoughts on the update. Her comments were featured in a video shared on Monfils’ official X account, where his loved ones could be seen wishing him a strong and joyous last year as a pro.
“It’s going to be a very fun and very enjoyable last year for you and for us as a family and for all fans and it’s going to be super exciting,” Svitolina said.
✨ 2026 — our final year together. Let’s make it unforgettable 🙅🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/5tLGLfyejq
— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) October 1, 2025
“Really looking forward for you to step on the court. It’s going to be exciting, it’s going to be sad of course. Going to be not easy for me personally and even now I’m tearing up but yeah it’s going to be full of enjoyment. I’m very happy to be by your side,” she added.
Currently aged 39, Monfils stands on a 21-year professional run during which he captured 13 tour-level singles titles and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 6 in 2016. As the countdown begins on his retirement date, it still remains to be seen if the ATP star bids farewell with another trophy.
Monfils Expresses One Last Win Before Marking an End to His Career
Gaël Monfils looks forward to the end of his journey. He has amassed 13 tour-level singles titles and reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 in 2016. These accomplishments underline why he says it is time to draw the curtain on his long professional run.
Among his final goals, Monfils openly stated he wants to win one more title before retiring. “When you love something so much, it never feels like a good time to say goodbye. But 40 will be the right time for me. Of course, winning one more title before I’m done would be truly incredible. Truthfully, though, my only real goal for the year ahead is simple,” he
wrote.
In his statement, Monfils thanked his team, the French Tennis Federation, fellow players, fans, his parents, his wife, Elina Svitolina, and their daughter. He also reflected on having played professionally for 21 years and said he feels “tremendously at peace” with the decision. Monfils’ last participation came at the Chengdu Open, where he faced an early (round of 32) defeat against Alexander Shevchenko.