Elina Svitolina undergoes foot surgery with husband Gael Monfils by her side days after announcing premature end to 2024 season
Gael Monfils' wife Elina Svitolina has undergone foot surgery to address a persisting issue after announcing the end of her 2024 season. The Ukrainian also confirmed her comeback in 2025 after recovering from the surgery.
Monfils and Svitolina got married in July 2021 and welcomed daughter Skai in October 2022. The couple competed at the 2024 US Open, where Monfils made a second-round exit after losing to Casper Ruud, while Svitolina lost to Coco Gauff in the third round.
The 30-year-old Ukrainian ended her season after the 2024 US Open, citing an unspecified injury. It was her second premature exit in a row.
Svitolina shared a few photos from the hospital on Instagram including one with her Monfils, announcing her foot surgery and a hiatus till 2025. She shared how the persisting issue impacted her 2023 season, tennis practice, and everyday life.
Parts of Svitolina's caption read,
So unfortunately my 2024 season is now in the history books, as I have had surgery on my foot today to correct a long standing issue that I have been trying to manage throughout this year 🥴
This is the same issue that ended my season in 2023 and has hampered me for most of 2024. It’s become harder to manage and has been impacting me more and more, not just with regard to tennis and training but in my everyday life too🙄
I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement during this challenging time. Your love and positivity mean the world to me, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all at the courts in 2025 ✨
Svitolina, who sustained a back injury at the 2024 Australian Open, was on a maternity break from March 2022 till March 2023, when she played in the 2023 Charleston Open. At the 2023 French Open, she reached the quarterfinals.
She made it to the 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinals but lost to Elena Rybakina in straight sets.
Gael Monfils' wife Elina Svitolina was her country's flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony
Elina Svitolina won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but couldn't repeat the feat in Paris 2024, as she lost to Czechian Barbora Krejcikova 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4 in the third round.
However, the 30-year-old was chosen as the flag bearer of Ukraine at the Olympics closing ceremony.
The current World No. 28 exuded pride in having received the opportunity to represent her country on the global stage, as she said (via Tennis.com):
“It is a huge honor to represent my country, to be among so many great Ukrainian athletes. It’s always been such a privilege to represent Ukraine," Elina Svitolina shared in a pre-event conference.
The Ukrainian player has won 17 WTA singles titles, including the 2018 WTA Tour Finals.