Elina Svitolina Calls Out Husband for Unapproved Photo Before Italian Open

Elina Svitolina is on a sizzling streak on the 2026 Italian Open. After coming again to defeat Elena Rybakina 2-6, 6-4,6-4, within the quarterfinals, she reached her first semifinal in eight years.

Svitolina, the No. 7 seed, who gained the Italian Open title back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, takes on Iga Swiatek, the No. 4 seed, within the semifinals on May 14. Swiatek moved into the semifinals after taking down US star Jessica Pegula in straight units.

Svitolina, who saved 16 break factors in opposition to Rybakina, the No. 2-ranked participant, felt much more particular as a mother. She shares a daughter together with her husband, fellow tennis star Gael Monfils.

gettyElina Svitolina of Ukraine celebrates after profitable match level in opposition to Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan on the 2026 Italian Open.

“After giving birth to our beautiful daughter, Skai, it’s really special for me to have these kinds of moments on the court,” she mentioned throughout her on-court interview. “Coming back to the top-10, playing big matches, winning them, it gives me such an amazing and really precious feeling to continue and to go for more.”

Elina Svitolina’s Husband, Gael Monfils, Shared Photos of Their ‘Beautiful Family’ Before the Italian Open

Before Svitolina’s profitable run in Rome, Monfils shared a number of snapshots from their dwelling life. The 39-year-old Frenchman, who’s set to retire this yr, loved a day of {golfing} along with his spouse and daughter.

I captioned the submit, “Beautiful family Sunday ❤️ with our very special photographer 📸,” as Skai took the images. Svitolina joked within the feedback, “Not sure last pic was approved tho 🤦🏼‍♀️😂😂❤️.”

Svitolina and Monfils first met in Paris in 2018, and he proposed in 2021. They tied the knot on July 16 of that yr and welcomed Skai on October 15, 2022.

“I had known Gael for quite some timeas we constantly participated in the same tournaments. But there was very little communication: he knew that I was in a long relationship,” Svitolina mentioned in 2019, People reported.

“At the end of 2018, after winning the final tournament [in Singapore]I went to celebrate with my Paris friends. I posted a photo on Instagram, and Gael wrote to me. “We met and could no longer part.”

Gael Monfils Is Amazed By His Wife Elina Svitolina’s Return to Tennis After Giving Birth

gettyGael Monfils of France, husband of Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

Monfils, who was given a wild card to compete in what will likely be his remaining main on the 2026 French Open, beforehand gushed over his spouse’s return to tennis lower than a yr after their daughter was born.

“I’m surprised how well she came back, how strong she is mentally and physically. It’s just amazing,” he mentioned at a 2024 press conference.

“She’s a great mother first. That’s first. People want to put tennis first, but I think she’s a great mother first. This is the most important for me as her husband because of course we are a tennis couple but life is beyond our sport. She’s an excellent and great mother and as you said she managed it well on the court. I’m surprised how well she came back, how strong she is mentally and physically. It’s just amazing.”

Emily Bicks covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a deal with the Bills, Seahawks and Chiefs. She’s contributed to Heavy since 2019 and has interviewed a number of the greatest stars in sports activities, together with Jerry Rice, Shaquille O’Neal and Stefon Diggs. More about Emily Bicks