From Grand Slams to Giggles: Gael Monfils & Elina Svitolina Embrace the Sweet Game of Parenthood

French crowd-pleaser Gael Monfils admits that nothing in tennis prepared him for the pure joy of welcoming baby Skaii in 2022. ⭐👶 Announced with matching smiles on social media, the arrival of their daughter instantly stitched a brand-new layer of meaning into Monfils’s life—and into the career of his wife, WTA star Elina Svitolina. She has long said motherhood fuels her drive on court, and now her ATP-icon husband echoes the sentiment in his own words.

Indian Wells flashback 🌴🎾

Last season, as the California desert buzzed with tournament energy, Monfils returned to competition for the first time as a dad. He soaked in each cheer, stroller in tow, feeling how Skaii’s tiny presence reshaped every swing of his racquet.

Indian Wells flashback

During a recent press conference, a reporter asked whether he shares Svitolina’s view that parenting sharpens performance. Monfils beamed: “Fatherhood changes you for the better. It’s the most rewarding experience for me, and I see the same glow in Elina.” He praised his wife as both elite athlete and empathetic human, noting that personal growth naturally spills onto the scoreboard. 💪❤️

Monfils added, “When you become a better person, you perform better—on court and off. For Elina, that may mean telling her story to inspire others; for me, it simply multiplies the happiness I feel each day.”

Today, even the grind of travel can’t dim his outlook. Between diaper changes and practice drills, Monfils finds fresh purpose, a feeling Svitolina mirrors as she balances powerful forehands with bedtime stories.

Svitolina herself draws strength from fellow moms who’ve made triumphant comebacks—like Tatjana Maria, who reached Wimbledon semifinals after two pregnancies. “Their stories fire me up,” she shared, grateful for a sisterhood that proves family life and world-class sport can dance together. 💃🎾

Gael Monfils’s candid reflections paint a portrait of a man who now plays for trophies and toddler giggles. Fatherhood hasn’t slowed him or Svitolina down; it has added extra fuel—turning every match into a love-filled encore. 🎉👨‍👩‍👧