‘Crying Every Night’ – Gael Monfils Explains How Elina Svitolina Has Been Going Through Tough Times in Her Life

Gael Monfils is having a dream start to the 2022 season. The veteran Frenchman caused the upset of the tournament in Indian Wells, knocking out the top seed, Daniil Medvedev, in the third round. Moreover, it was an exhilarating display by the 35-year-old, who used his experience to overcome Medvedev.

Monfils began this season by lifting the title in Adelaide International 1 tournament. Further, he had a memorable Australian Open run, reaching the quarterfinals. However, he eventually lost to Matteo Berrettini in the last-eight clash in five sets. The Frenchman has backed his great start to the season with another exceptional result in Indian Wells. Subsequently, after his match, Monfils spoke about his wife, Elina Svitolina, amidst the tough times owing to the Eastern European conflict.

Gael Monfils trying to be the shoulder for Elina Svitolina

Post his third-round victory over Medvedev, the 35-year-old was asked about how the situation surrounding his wife and family is affecting or inspiring him at the moment. He said, “Yes. It’s not easy to see all my, I don’t know in English, step family.”

Further, he added, “Yeah. I mean, my second family, let’s say, battling. It’s not easy to see my wife a couple weeks ago crying every night. It was tough. You know, it was tough. Of course, I was, and I’m being there for her every day, for her, for the family. Still quite a lot of family still there. It’s tough to describe because I’m in it. I’m in it. And it’s just kind of crazy, you know, when you think about it.”

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On trying to manage the situation, Monfils went on to say, “But we try to manage it the best way that we can. And definitely for myself, you know, I try to be the shoulder, to be everything that she can lean on, and definitely to my second family, you know, I do anything for them to make them happy, safe, and everything that I can do.”

Monfils defeats Medvedev

Coming to his third-round victory, both the players started the match cautiously, trying to hold their serves. However, Medvedev started to dictate terms when he broke Monfils’ serve in the ninth game of the first set. Subsequently, he served out the first set 6-4.

However, the second set was a topsy-turvy affair, as the two players exchanged breaks of serves in the fourth and the fifth game. Further, it was Monfils’ turn to strike back as he broke Medvedev’s serve in the eighth game of the second set. He eventually won the second set 6-3.

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Monfils carried the momentum in the deciding set. The third set was a one-sided affair as Monfils raced to a 4-0 lead. There was no looking back for Monfils as he shocked Medvedev, winning the third set 6-1. He will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the next round.