Elina Svitolina: Career, Comeback, and Family Life

Few stories in tennis are as compelling as Elina Svitolina’s. Between reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 3 and becoming a mother in October 2022, her journey has been anything but predictable. She married fellow tennis star Gaël Monfils in July 2021, and just five months after giving birth, she returned to the WTA tour — winning her first title as a mom in Strasbourg in May 2023 (Roland Garros, official Grand Slam site). This article traces how her personal milestones have shaped her professional comeback.

Age: 30 (born 12 September 1994) · Career-high singles ranking: No. 3 · WTA singles titles: 20 · Spouse: Gaël Monfils (married 16 July 2021) · Child: One daughter (Skai, born October 2022) · Residence: London, England

Nine key facts paint a complete picture of Elina Svitolina’s profile — her career stats, family, and background.

The pattern: Svitolina’s statistical profile shows a career that peaked at No. 3, but her most defining achievement may be the speed of her comeback after childbirth.

Are Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina still together?

Their wedding and marriage

• Elina Svitolina and Gaël Monfils married on 16 July 2021 (Wikipedia).
• The couple has remained together through career ups and downs. As of the latest reports in 2025, they are still married (Town & Country).

Public appearances together

• They are frequently seen supporting each other at tournaments. Monfils was in Svitolina’s box at Wimbledon 2023 (India Today).

Family life with daughter

• The couple has one daughter, Skaï (also spelled Skai), born on 16 October 2022 (ATP Tour, official men’s tour).
• The family lives together in London and often shares glimpses of their life on social media (Instagram, personal account).

The implication: their partnership has endured the pressures of dual tennis careers and parenthood, reinforcing their bond.

Has Elina Svitolina had a baby?

Birth of daughter Skai

• Svitolina announced her pregnancy in May 2022. She gave birth to a daughter named Skaï on 16 October 2022 (Wikipedia).

Return to professional tennis after maternity leave

• She returned to the Hologic WTA Tour in April 2023, just five months after giving birth (Roland Garros, official Grand Slam site).
• Her comeback was rapid: she won the Strasbourg title in May 2023 and reached the Wimbledon semifinals in July 2023, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek along the way (WTA Tennis).
• The WTA named her the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year (WTA Tennis, official announcement).

The catch: while her comeback was extraordinary, it required a precise coordination of recovery, training, and family support that few players can replicate.

Where does Elina Svitolina live?

Current residence in London

• Svitolina’s listed residence is London, England (Wikipedia).
• She and Monfils have made London their home base, likely for its central location for travel on the WTA and ATP tours (Town & Country).

Previous residences

• She was born in Dnipro, Ukraine, and previously lived in Kharkiv before moving abroad for her career (Wikipedia).

Svitolina’s move to London reflects a practical choice for an international tennis player, but she maintains strong ties to Ukraine, often expressing support for her home country (Roland Garros, player profile).

The pattern: her relocation from Ukraine to London mirrors a broader trend among Eastern European players seeking training facilities and tournament access in Western Europe.

What illness does Monfils have?

Injury history of Gaël Monfils

• Monfils has had multiple injuries throughout his career, including knee and wrist issues (Wikipedia).
• Specific illnesses are not detailed in available sources; the question likely refers to general health concerns rather than a named disease.

Recent health updates

• Monfils has been dealing with recurring physical setbacks that have affected his schedule (ATP Tour, official site).

Without a confirmed diagnosis, much of the discussion around Monfils’ “illness” is speculative. Fans should rely on official updates from the ATP or Monfils himself.

The implication: the lack of a named condition means fans should approach online rumors with skepticism.

How much weight did Elina Svitolina lose?

Media report of weight loss

• A Town & Country article reports that she lost 20 pounds (Town & Country, lifestyle magazine).
• No other confirmed sources in the provided inputs mention a specific weight loss number.

Motivation behind the change

• According to the same article, the weight loss was part of her return to peak fitness after pregnancy and her determination to compete at the highest level again.

The catch: without corroboration from Svitolina or the WTA, the specific number remains a rumor, though her visible change in physique is undeniable.

Timeline: Key moments in Elina Svitolina’s life and career

• 12 September 1994: Born in Dnipro, Ukraine (Wikipedia)
• 2010: Turned professional (WTA Tennis)
• September 2017: Reached career-high ranking of No. 3 (WTA Tennis)
• 16 July 2021: Married Gaël Monfils (Wikipedia)
• October 2022: Gave birth to daughter Skai (ATP Tour)
• April 2023: Returned to WTA tour (Roland Garros)
• July 2023: Wimbledon semifinal; defeated Iga Swiatek (India Today)
• December 2023: WTA Comeback Player of the Year (WTA Tennis)
• 2025 (current): Continues professional play; resides in London

The pattern: the six months between April and December 2023 represent the most compressed period of achievement in her career, bookending her return with a major semifinal and an official award.

What we know (and what remains uncertain)

Separating confirmed facts from speculation helps readers trust what’s reported.

The implication: the confirmed list outweighs the unclear one, giving readers a solid foundation of verifiable facts about Svitolina’s life and career.

In her own words

“Now it’s where the tournament starts.”

— Elina Svitolina, speaking at the Australian Open (Australian Open, official site)

“Elina Svitolina is our 2023 Comeback Player of the Year.”

— WTA Tennis (WTA Tennis, official announcement)

For fans of women’s tennis, Svitolina’s trajectory shows that personal milestones can fuel professional success — or complicate it. The coming season will reveal whether her balance of family and competition holds. For Ukrainian tennis players, Svitolina’s comeback demonstrates that with determination, even a five-month maternity break can be a launchpad, not a setback.

Frequently asked questions