How a single Instagram message created one of tennis' power couples: Gael Monfils-Elina Svitolina's dreamy love story
What started as casual drinks in Paris turned into marriage, a daughter, and one of the sport's most visible partnerships. Their off-court relationship has only strengthened their careers and captured fans' attention worldwide.
From the Gram to the grand slam: It starts with a DM
The two had played the same events for years, but barely spoke. 'I had known Gael for quite some time, as we constantly participated in the same tournaments,' Svitolina stated, per People. She also mentioned that, at the time, she was in a long-term relationship.
Their lack of communication came to an end after she posted a photo celebrating her Singapore victory with friends in Paris. Monfils saw it, messaged her, and invited her out. 'I posted a photo on Instagram, and Gael wrote to me. We met and could no longer part,' she said in a 2019 interview, per People. From there, things moved quickly.
Wedding bells and baby Skaï: A new perspective
In April 2021, Monfils proposed in the snow-capped mountains. Three months later, they tied the knot in custom Off-White outfits designed by Virgil Abloh's team. Svitolina wore a beautiful cream and white pantsuit with a sheer purple skirt. Monfils matched her in style with a lavender suit and floral pocket square.
Their daughter Skaï was born in October 2022. Monfils called the night of her birth 'the most amazing night of [his] life.' Since then, both stars have talked openly about how becoming parents changed everything. 'My dream is to have an unbelievable family,' Monfils told the press in January 2025. 'Tennis is cool, but my dream is out there.'
Not long after their daughter's birth, Svitolina returned to tennis in 2023 and stormed her way back into the top tier, reaching the Wimbledon semis and winning in Rouen. Meanwhile, her husband Monfils made history in Auckland this year, becoming the oldest ATP title-winner in nearly 50 years.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
10 minutes ago
- Mint
BTS' V makes Instagram history as first Korean male idol to surpass 69 million followers globally
BTS member V, also known as Kim Taehyung, has officially made Instagram history by becoming the first Korean male idol to surpass 69 million followers on the platform. The milestone cements his status as the most-followed Korean male idol on Instagram and underscores his immense influence in global pop culture. V's Instagram feed is far from ordinary. Known for his refined aesthetic and artistic sensibilities, the singer and actor uses the platform as a canvas to showcase his personality and creativity. From black-and-white selfies and cinematic travel photos to behind-the-scenes moments from concerts and fashion shoots, V's posts consistently captivate fans around the world. This remarkable achievement reflects not only his star power as a member of BTS — one of the most influential music groups globally — but also his individual appeal as a fashion icon, performer, and cultural tastemaker. His growing follower count is a testament to his dedicated global fanbase and the way his style and personality resonate far beyond music. With this new record, V has firmly solidified his place as a social media powerhouse, joining the ranks of global celebrities whose digital presence influences millions. Fans have taken to various platforms to celebrate the milestone, flooding timelines with congratulatory messages and sharing their favourite posts from his feed. This moment marks yet another landmark in V's already illustrious career, highlighting his ability to connect with audiences not just through music, but also through visuals, emotion, and authenticity. As he continues to evolve as an artist and entertainer, there is little doubt that his digital influence will only grow stronger. V's Instagram success is yet another reminder of BTS' cultural reach — and of how each member continues to shine in their own unique way.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Nick Young breaks silence on D'Angelo Russell's alleged cheating scandal with wild and cryptic comments
Nick Young is a phenomenal player (Image via Getty Images) D'Angelo Russell recently landed in serious jeopardy after a woman shared a slew of texts she exchanged with someone else. She claimed that she has been texting with the NBA star. He reportedly asked her to fly to Miami for him while she was in Atlanta, according to the messages. Meanwhile, Nick Young, a former NBA player, recently weighed in on this. He gave a casual street interview where he opened up about his feelings regarding D'Angelo Russell's alleged cheating scandal. Nick Young's bizarre remarks stir buzz amid D'Angelo Russell's alleged cheating controversy During the same interview, Nick Young was asked how he felt about everything. While talking about D'Angelo Russell , he said: 'Oh man. What can I say? You know, God answers all prayers, you know. That's how I mean Jaw Morant.. She's the GOAT. You know, shout-out to Swaggy Nation, people who have been riding with me from day one. Just send me your cash at Jaw Morant.' He continued: 'You know, I love what you're doing, man. One of the marks was one of my real ones. She did it for Swaggy. No, she says she looks out over 5k, you know. Man, you feel me? I got you because you ain't going to see normal money. So I got you…' Nick Young concluded: 'You know, Snitches never prosper. You know, and only one made it. That was who was that Gunna? Gunna came back this, I'm strong, but you know, Jaw Morant made sure Jean-Marie wasn't going you know have a comeback…' Nick Young talked about D'Angelo Russell (Image via Getty Images) For context, in June of last year, the woman, who uses the nickname "Jaw Morant" on her X account, shared the chat exchange with D'Angelo Russell on Instagram. The NBA player was said to have sent her the first message a month before they officially began texting. She wrote in the post: "D'angelo Russell, you got some explaining to do… stop cheating on that yt woman with me.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 30 Of The Most Beautiful Women In History Undo Later, she posted screenshots of the text messages she claimed were from the Dallas Mavericks player on her X handle. They were full of intimate messages. He even reportedly sent her money to book a flight. However, the authenticity of these messages haven't been jugged as of yet. Also read: Zhuri James goes viral in Adidas as Bronny falls short in LA Lakers' game against Dallas Mavericks For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Jordan Hicks retires, leaving Browns with more concerns at linebacker
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns situation at linebacker became a bigger concern on Friday after Jordan Hicks announced his retirement. HT Image Hicks missed the first two days of training camp with what the team called a personal matter. The 33-year-old Hicks posted his retirement announcement on Instagram after 10 years in the league. 'Football has given me more than I could have ever imagined. Purpose, discipline, brotherhood, and a platform to impact others. But most importantly it showed me who I am outside the game,' Hicks said in his post. 'I leave this chapter with deep gratitude for every lesson, challenge, and victory. I'm proud of what l accomplished on the field, but even more proud of the man I've become because of it.' Hicks played 12 games last season and was third on the team with 78 tackles. The Browns were already down one middle linebacker going into camp with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out for the season with a neck injury. Hicks was a third-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015. He also played for Arizona and Minnesota before signing as an unrestricted free agent with Cleveland last year. 'I'm truly just happy for him, just to leave on your own terms, do it the way you want to do it. Just having a great career,' linebacker Jerome Baker said. Rookie Carson Schwesinger, the 33rd overall pick in April's draft, could move into Hick's starting spot. Nathaniel Watson was Hicks' backup at the end of last season. 'When you lose a player due to injury or retirement or whatever, there's opportunities that come up for younger players and in this day and age, young players play early at these positions," coach Kevin Stefanski said before the start of Friday's practice. "They may be counted on and that's why we're working so hard. That's why we're trying to be efficient with everything we do, maximize every rep and minute that we have with these young men to get them ready to play.' Devin Bush, one of the other starters at linebacker, could miss part of the season if he is suspended by the league for violations of the personal conduct policy. Bush was charged with simple assault and harassment after being arrested in May outside of Pittsburgh. ___ AP NFL:
