Gael Monfils announces end to secrecy with 'I'll tell you everything' live stream after Elina Svitolina divorce
Gael Monfils has announced a Twitch live stream, slated to go online this Monday evening, and promised to "tell fans everything" after his sudden retirement and divorce from Elina Svitolina.
Monfils stunned tennis fans twice in October, by first retiring hastily from the sport, then publicly announcing his divorce from Elina Svitolina.
The 40-year-old has now sworn to ‘tell fans everything’ with the announcement of a Twitch livestream, scheduled for between 6pm and 8pm on Monday evening.
Gael Monfils announces ‘I’ll tell you everything’ in Twitch live stream this Monday evening
Monfils’ retirement was discovered after his name appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s list of retired players, which became effective on October 5.
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Prior to that date, the 40-year-old was anticipated to play two farewell tournaments in Lyon and Paris, where the former world No.6 was expected to retire in front of his home French crowd.
Organisers for the Lyon event confirmed after this discovery that Monfils would not participate, and cited personal reasons for his withdrawal. Soon after, the Frenchman’s divorce from fellow tennis superstar Svitolina was announced.
The 40-year-old posted to Instagram on Sunday afternoon, providing details of a Twitch livestream accompanied by the text: “Quand? Ou? Je vous dis tout (When? Where? I’ll tell you everything).”
Three major tennis outlets, all with large social media followings, will be there to support Monfils, who added: “We’ll be retracing my entire journey… be there.”
The Frenchman will take to Twitch with Univers Tennis, Tennis Instant and Le Tweener, to answer fans’ questions about his sudden retirement and, possibly, his separation from Svitolina.
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Gael Monfils speaks to camera for the first time since tennis retirement and Elina Svitolina split
This will be the first time that Monfils has spoken publicly on camera about his situation since he dropped out of events in Lyon and Paris, and since his divorce from the Ukrainian.
The 40-year-old released a statement in defence of Svitolina last Friday, October 23, on Instagram, writing: “This is a struggle that we have decided, together, to share with the public.
"Over the years, Elina and I have taken great joy in sharing our story and our family with you all. We have also always shared our struggles as individuals. For me, a series of injuries and self-doubt that challenged me in new ways.
“For Elina, the destruction and suffering that have torn her country apart. Now, we are separating. And just as before, this is a struggle that we have decided, together, to share with the public.
"As anyone who has experienced the end of a relationship knows, it is not an easy thing to talk about. A separation is a minefield of messy, complicated feelings that Elina and I are both trying our best to navigate.
“And we are doing so with the great respect and love that we still, and will always, hold for each other. Even though she did not owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak vulnerably and truthfully about her reasons for this decision,” concluded Monfils.
The Frenchman then turned his attention to people who decided Svitolina’s words ‘weren’t perfect enough,’ condemning abuse aimed at the Ukrainian.
“Elina has now faced a kind of criticism that I have found unkind at best, and venomous at worst. Elina and I may no longer be a couple, but we are still a family,” wrote Monfils.
The pair welcomed their daughter, Skai, in October 2022, after marrying in July 2021. Many ex-tennis stars offered support for Monfils and Svitolina, with six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker responding to the former’s Instagram post with kind words.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Becker said: “We love you both, Elina and Gael! It’s very difficult and challenging at times, to live your life in the public eye.
“Take good care of each other as a family and most importantly your daughter Skai! God bless,” concluded the German.
Elsewhere, Martina Navratilova also took to X and wrote: “People are so nasty. Nobody is hurting more than Elina and Gael right now, and people dare criticise them?
“Only wish them good luck and health,” concluded the nine-time Wimbledon singles champion.
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Topics: Tennis
Kedar Bayley