All about Australian Open semifinalist Elina Svitolina, who's married to another famous tennis player

The now tennis star was born in Odesa, Ukraine to her very athletic parents, Mikhaylo Svitolin and Olena Svitolina. Her dad, Mikhaylo, was a former wrestler while her mom was a former competitive rower.

Growing up, Elina watched her brother play tennis and she desperately wanted to join him, both in the sport and in getting her dad's attention. She started playing when she was five and kept at it, gaining international acclaim.

When Elina was just 14-years-old, she turned pro. Her greatest achievement in her junior career was in 2010 when she won the French Open girls event. Since then, Elina has been consistent, but hasn't yet reached the height of the sport.

At 31, she's won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, reached the quarterfinals of the French Open and the semi finals of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, but is still hoping for a Grand Slam finals appearance and win.

The future couple met in Paris when the French tennis player Gaël Monfils, 39, reached out to Elina after she won the 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore. 

"I had known Gaël for quite some time, as we constantly participated in the same tournaments. But there was very little communication; he knew that I was in a long relationship," Elina said in 2019. "At the end of 2018, after winning the final tournament [in Singapore], I went to celebrate with my Paris friends. I posted a photo on Instagram, and Gaël wrote to me. We met and could no longer part."

After dating for a few years, Gaël proposed to Elina with a three-stone emerald-cut engagement ring. They married on July 16, 2021.

Over a year after she and Gaël tied the knot, they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Skaï. The proud dad announced the news to Instagram, writing: “I had the most amazing night of my life, which ended with the most beautiful gift around 6:00AM. Elina was strong and brave. I can't thx enough, my wife and God, for this special moment. Welcome to the world, my little princess SKAÏ."

Elina's daughter joins her on the tour, traveling to New York, Melbourne, and more, showing her that moms can be present and succeed at their career.

Gaël bragged about his wife in a 2024 press conference, saying: "She's an excellent and great mother and as you said she managed it well on the court. I'm surprised how well she came back, how strong she is mentally and physically. It's just amazing."

The 31-year-old is more than just a tennis player. She is also something of a fashion icon. To her wedding, Elina wore a custom look by the late Virgil Abloh. Unlike many traditional brides, she walked down the aisle in a white pantsuit with a sheer, purple skirt around the waist.

At the time, she shared photos of her bridal outfit to Instagram with the caption: "Eternally grateful to @virgilabloh and an awesome @off____white team for creating my 'DREAM DRESS.' Pure masterpiece."

In July 2025, Elina showcased her creative side with a new capsule clothing collection with the Ukrainian fashion designer, Svitlana Bevza. The collection included clothes for Wimbledon – structural white gowns, delicate hair ties, with profits directed to scholarships for young tennis players in Ukraine.