Elina Svitolina wrote an emotional open letter to her daughter, Skaï, reflecting on the significance of Gaël Monfils’ final Roland Garros appearance and the meaning of his career beyond tennis. In the letter, Svitolina describes Monfils as one of the greatest shot-makers the sport has ever seen, a player whose creativity, speed, intelligence and charisma turned matches into memorable performances that could captivate audiences with a single point. She explains that his game was never only about results or statistics, but about the ability to make people feel something extraordinary through tennis.
Svitolina also shares the personal story of how she and Monfils met, beginning with a brief introduction in New York in 2017 and continuing with a Paris coffee that turned into a day-long walk and, eventually, a relationship. She recalls Monfils’ magic trick on their first date and the early stages of their life together, leading to marriage and parenthood. The letter highlights how their partnership has been built on trust, patience and mutual support, especially during difficult periods.
One of the most powerful sections of the letter focuses on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began while Svitolina was pregnant and while her family was in danger. She says Monfils stood beside her completely during that time, making her feel like she was not alone and emphasizing that he acted as a true partner in every sense. Svitolina also reflects on the racism Monfils faced growing up as a Black player in France and says his grace, resilience and perspective have helped shape the family’s understanding of the world.
The letter then turns to Monfils’ career achievements, noting his longevity, Grand Slam consistency, Davis Cup record, Olympic appearances, ATP titles, world No. 6 ranking and memorable history at Roland Garros. But Svitolina says the most important lesson from his career is not found in trophies or rankings. Instead, she celebrates his refusal to be changed by outside expectations and his commitment to staying true to his identity, style and joy for the game.
For Svitolina, Monfils’ legacy is not only that he was a great tennis player, but that he was unique, inspiring and deeply human. She closes by expressing hope that their daughter will one day understand that her father meant so much to tennis, and even more than tennis itself.
