'I try to talk to him and explain the situation': Elina Svitolina opens up about Gael Monfils' concern about her safety on visit to war-hit Ukraine

Elina Svitolina has revealed that her husband, France’s Gael Monfils, lives in fear whenever she visits her war-torn country. The 30-year-old is from Ukraine, and her country has been under attack since Russia began its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Svitolina has remained vocal about the need for a ban on athletes from Russia. The Odesa-born star recently opened up about how her husband is always concerned about her well-being whenever she visits her country.

“Gael gets very nervous before trips,” she told Bild. “Of course he is afraid for me, for the family. But I try to talk to him and explain the situation to him. I try to explain the safety rules to him. I also think about my family, but I feel a lot of pain for my country. I am one of the voices of Ukraine around the world. This is my mission. It is always very emotional when I say goodbye to him and my daughter. But I think he understands that it is very important to me. He is very close to me. My family still lives in Odessa. I have many close friends who are at the front right now. This is all like a big family to me too. I am very grateful to Gael for supporting me. I know it is very difficult. I am not sure that many husbands would understand this.”

Svitolina is currently facing the 2024 US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula in the round of 16 at Indian Wells.