Shocking News:Elina Svitolina Dedicates Touching Tribute to Husband Gaël Monfils After Beating to stourp Elena Rybakina at Madrid Open 2025

Shocking News:Elina Svitolina Dedicates Touching Tribute to Husband Gaël Monfils After Beating to stourp Elena Rybakina at Madrid Open 2025

Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina delivered a powerful performance and a touching tribute to her husband, Gaël Monfils, following her victory over Elena Rybakina. The win, a straight-sets triumph of 6-3, 6-4, not only showcased Svitolina’s resurgence on the WTA Tour but also highlighted the deep bond she shares with Monfils, a fellow professional tennis player. This article delves into the significance of Svitolina’s victory, the emotional tribute to her husband, and the unique dynamic that fuels their success both on and off the court.

A Commanding Victory in Madrid
Elina Svitolina, ranked World No. 17 at the time, entered the 2025 Madrid Open with momentum from her recent title win at the WTA 250 event in Rouen. Facing the formidable Elena Rybakina, the No. 10 seed and a former Wimbledon champion, Svitolina was up against a tough challenge. Rybakina’s powerful game and clay-court prowess made her a favorite, but Svitolina’s defensive baseline play and tactical acumen shone through.
The match saw Svitolina take control early, breaking Rybakina’s serve to claim the first set 6-3. Despite Rybakina’s 24 winners compared to Svitolina’s 10, the Ukrainian’s consistency and fewer unforced errors (24 compared to Rybakina’s 48) proved decisive. In the second set, Svitolina maintained her composure, securing a 6-4 victory to advance to the fourth round of the WTA 1000 event. This win marked her first victory over Rybakina since 2021 and underscored her strong form on clay, a surface where she has historically excelled.

Following her dominant 6-3, 6-1 win over Sonay Kartal in the opening round, Svitolina’s performance against Rybakina solidified her status as a serious contender in Madrid. Her ability to neutralize Rybakina’s aggressive play and capitalize on key moments demonstrated the resilience and mental toughness that have defined her career.
A Heartfelt Tribute to Gaël Monfils
After her victory, Svitolina took to the on-court interview to share a heartfelt tribute to her husband, Gaël Monfils, crediting him for inspiring her to push her limits. “I feel like we are motivating each other, me and Gaël,” she said. “Keep pushing, keep trying to win matches, and win titles. He won a title in Auckland, and I last week in Rouen. We’re trying to keep up with each other and just trying to enjoy every opportunity that we have.”

This wasn’t the first time Svitolina has spoken about the profound impact Monfils has on her career. The couple, married since July 2021, have become one of tennis’s most beloved power couples, known for their mutual support and shared passion for the sport. Svitolina highlighted Monfils’ recent triumph at the ASB Classic in Auckland in January 2025, where he became the oldest man to win an ATP title since Ken Rosewall in 1977. Her pride in his achievement was palpable, and she emphasized how their competitive spirit drives them to elevate each other’s game.

The tribute resonated with fans, who have grown accustomed to the couple’s endearing interactions. From cheering each other on in the player’s box to sharing lighthearted moments on their joint Instagram account, “G.E.M.S. Life” (standing for Gaël, Elina, Monfils, Svitolina), their relationship is a blend of love, camaraderie, and professional respect. Svitolina’s words in Madrid underscored the unique dynamic that allows them to thrive under the pressures of professional tennis while balancing their roles as parents to their two-year-old daughter, Skaï.
A Partnership That Transcends the Court
Svitolina and Monfils’ relationship began in 2019 when Monfils reached out to Svitolina after her victory at the 2018 WTA Finals in Singapore. Despite years of crossing paths at tournaments, their connection deepened in Paris, where they met for drinks and quickly became inseparable. After a brief split in early 2021, they reconciled, got engaged in April, and married in a lavender-themed ceremony designed by the late Virgil Abloh in Geneva, Switzerland.

Their partnership is more than romantic—it’s a professional alliance. Both players openly discuss strategies and analyze opponents together, leveraging their shared understanding of the sport’s demands. “It means a lot to us to have someone who understands what we are going through,” Svitolina said during the Australian Open earlier in 2025, where both she and Monfils reached the fourth round. Monfils has praised Svitolina’s work ethic, noting that her discipline inspires him, even if he jokingly admits it’s “too serious” for his more relaxed approach.

This mutual motivation was evident in Madrid. Svitolina’s victory came on the heels of Monfils’ own challenges at the tournament, where he withdrew before his second-round match against Andrey Rublev due to illness. Despite his disappointment, Svitolina’s tribute highlighted how their successes are intertwined, with each title and milestone fueling the other’s drive. Her win over Rybakina was not just a personal triumph but a testament to the strength they draw from each other.

The Broader Context: Svitolina’s Resurgence
Svitolina’s 2025 season has been a story of resurgence. After a challenging 2024 marked by injuries, including foot surgery in September, she returned to form with a vengeance. Her title in Rouen, where she defeated Olga Danilovic in the final, was her 18th WTA singles title and a confidence booster heading into the clay season. At the Australian Open in January 2025, she reached the quarterfinals, becoming the first Ukrainian player to record 100 main draw wins at Grand Slams.

Her victory over Rybakina in Madrid further cemented her comeback. The win set up a fourth-round clash with Maria Sakkari, who had upset sixth seed Jasmine Paolini in a commanding 6-2, 6-1 performance. Svitolina and Sakkari’s head-to-head is tied at 2-2, with Svitolina’s most recent victory coming at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she won a bronze medal—the first Olympic tennis medal in Ukraine’s history.

Svitolina’s journey is also deeply tied to her identity as a Ukrainian. She has been vocal about the ongoing war in her homeland, using her platform to raise awareness and support for her country. The emotional weight of these challenges adds another layer to her achievements, making her victories—like the one in Madrid—resonate on a global stage.

A Bittersweet Morning After
While Svitolina’s on-court triumph and tribute to Monfils captured headlines, the morning after her victory brought a less celebratory moment. Both she and Monfils were subjected to an early wake-up call by anti-doping authorities, a reminder of the rigorous demands placed on professional athletes. Despite the inconvenience, Svitolina’s focus remained on her next challenge, with the potential to face Ekaterina Alexandrova or Moyuka Uchijima in the quarterfinals if she advanced past Sakkari.

The Power of Love and Tennis
Elina Svitolina’s victory over Elena Rybakina at the 2025 Madrid Open was more than a step forward in her campaign—it was a celebration of the partnership that has defined her recent success. Her touching tribute to Gaël Monfils highlighted the mutual inspiration that drives them to excel, even in the face of injuries, parenthood, and the relentless grind of professional tennis. As Svitolina continues her journey in Madrid and beyond, her story serves as a reminder that love, support, and shared ambition can be as powerful as any forehand or serve.