Balancing professional tennis careers and parenthood together is no easy feat. But Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, two of the sport’s most loved duos, seem to be pretty comfortable doing it. Their ability to coordinate and deliver results was evident at the Australian Open. They managed to pull off a stunning feat with each defeating the world No. 4 in their respective draws on the same day, same court, and in the same round as well. It was a milestone moment particularly for Svitolina, as it was her 40th career Top 10 win and her fifth since returning to the tour as a mother. But, it made me wonder how Svitolina and Monfils make it all work, especially with their busy schedules. Well, Svitolina has an answer for us.

Svitolina has found immense joy in her life with her husband Monfils and daughter, Skai. This has allowed her to play with newfound passion and freedom over the last two years. Though she ultimately lost to Madison Keys in the Australian Open battling to a tight 6-4 loss in the third set, her performance underscored her drive and resilience. Both Svitolina and Monfils have found a way to elevate their games while balancing the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. Both tennis stars tied the Knot in 2021 and welcomed their daughter in 2022.

Svitolina and Monfils first shared the news of their pregnancy in May 2022, and by October, their daughter Skai was born. Just three months later, Svitolina was already back to training, showing her determination to return to the highest level of sports. In a recent conversation With Macpaw’s Instagram, she shared insights on how she juggles her busy life while raising her daughter. “It’s not easy, but we try to plan it. Having our daughter traveling sometimes with us takes a lot of preparation and a lot of planning. We do sometimes share a calendar as well as shared notes. These days, with all the gadgets, it’s so easy to do.” Svitolina admitted.

At the Australian Open, Gael Monfils reflected on how fatherhood has shifted his priorities beyond just success on the tennis court. Family has become a central pillar for the career of both players, influencing their schedules and approach to the game. Elina Svitolina has also drawn inspiration from fellow tennis mothers on the circuit. She frequently connects with players like Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and Caroline Wozniacki, sharing small conversations about their experiences as athlete parents.

In a press conference during WTA Toronto 2024, Svitolina emphasized the value of connecting with other players who have navigated the same challenges. “I feel that women have many more options to do all this nowadays. We try to motivate women to come back and keep paving their way,” she said. Despite the hectic nature of Svitolina’s life, she has found a way to make it work. Her passion for tennis and love for her daughter drives her to stay organized with her husband.

Through careful planning, open communication, and the help of modern technology, she continues to chase her dreams while embracing the joys of parenthood. Svitolina is currently playing in Linz Open, in Austria. She had to face an upset in the second round from Anna Blinkova in straight sets.

Gael Monfils chooses wife Elina Svitolina & daughter Skai over Grand Slam 

Gael Monfils also recently commented on his shift in priorities as he gets closer to the end of his tennis career. The 38-year-old recently shared that his family is now his main focus. He stated that winning the Australian Open or any other Grand Slam is not his goal at this stage. Despite this, Monfils continues to make history. He recently broke Roger Federer’s record by winning the ASB Classic and becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title in 50 years.

Although the couple has been closely connected to the tennis world, their priorities now also include cherishing life away from courts. After his victory over Taylor Fritz in the third round of the Australian Open, Monfils’ response was heartfelt and clear. “Win? No! To be honest with you, it’s not even a dream to win the tournament. My dream is to be old and healthy! I tell you my dream is to have an unbelievable family! Tennis, it’s cool! Of course, you want a gold dream, whatever. But my dream is out there,” Monfils said.

Monfils has also experienced a resurgence in his career since Skai was born. After struggling with injuries during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he won his first title as a father in October 2023. His 2025 season has also seen a good start as he won the Auckland Open trophy as well. His last career-high ranking was No. 6 in the world. In spite of all this, Monfils remains content with his journey, and family is taking precedence over his ambitions. As he and Svitolina continue to balance careers and relationships, we look forward to looking at them on the courts more.