Elina Svitolina revealed that Gael Monfils became nervous whenever she visited Ukraine (Image: Getty)
Elina Svitolina has confessed that her husband, ATP star , becomes “very nervous” every time she returns home to . The tennis players have been married for four years and have a child together.
The WTA No. 23 does not bring Monfils or their daughter with her when she goes home, and she has now opened up on their emotional goodbyes. However, Svitolina will not stop visiting , explaining the importance of her trips.
Svitolina has raised more than a million euros to support ’s efforts in the war and continues to maintain awareness of her homeland’s fight.
The 17-time title winner is also an ambassador for United24, a government-run platform which collects funds in support of .
Although she is a full-time tennis player who travels the world for the professional tour, Svitolina also makes time to visit her country whenever possible and often documents her trips.
During her recent visit to Kharkiv in the off-season, the former world No. 3 at the Charter combat brigade’s base. But Svitolina has now opened up on the tough side of visiting home.
Elina Svitolina often returns home to war-torn Ukraine (Image: Getty)
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The 30-year-old is married to French tennis player Monfils, and Svitolina explained how difficult it is for the family to say goodbye whenever she flies back.
“Gael gets very nervous before trips. Of course he is afraid for me, for the family. But I try to talk to him and explain the situation to him,” the world No. 23 told .
“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 around the world. This is my mission.”
While Monfils fears Svitolina’s trips to , the 30-year-old praised her husband for his understanding and said he often helped her fundraising efforts.
She added: “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.”