Former World No. 9 Tennis Player Nearly Quits Sport Until Wife Steps In
In a shocking revelation, tennis veteran Gael Monfils confessed to contemplating retirement despite holding a top 10 ranking. The 38-year-old star opened up about a challenging period in his career when he felt disillusioned with the sport, expressing that being ranked No. 9 in the world held no significance for him anymore.
Married to fellow tennis pro Elina Svitolina, currently ranked No. 18 in the WTA, Monfils credited his wife with persuading him not to give up on his tennis career on two separate occasions. Thanks to her support, he made a remarkable comeback, re-entering the top 50 rankings, securing his 13th career title, and scoring a significant victory over Carlos Alcaraz.
Despite facing numerous obstacles throughout his over two-decade-long professional career, the French athlete has proven his resilience time and time again. Monfils found himself wanting to walk away from the sport when tennis resumed post the 2020 Covid-induced hiatus. Despite being in a favorable position – ranked ninth globally after back-to-back title wins in February – he confessed to seriously considering retirement until his wife intervened.
Monfils and Svitolina, who tied the knot in 2021 and recently welcomed their first child, have been a pillar of support for each other. Monfils acknowledged the pivotal role his wife played in reigniting his passion for tennis during challenging times, stating, “My wife literally saved me. She reignited that fire in me.”
The tennis star’s journey has been fraught with ups and downs, including a career-threatening foot injury in 2022. However, with Svitolina’s unwavering encouragement, Monfils set his sights on a clear goal – qualifying for the Olympics. Against all odds, he achieved this target, going on to win the Stockholm Open in 2023 while ranked 140th globally and participating in the 2024 Paris Games.
Starting 2025 on a high note, Monfils clinched his 13th career title in Auckland, attributing his success to his wife’s unwavering support. As he continues to defy the odds and make a mark in the tennis world, it is evident that behind every successful athlete is a strong support system, in Monfils’ case, his wife Elina Svitolina.