Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina have been married for almost three years and are the only active tennis couple (husband and wife) on tour.
Their relationship is unique because both have the rewarding experience of sharing the thrill of competition, providing emotional support to each other, and perhaps fittingly, getting a chance to explore as many romantic dinner dates in different countries all year.
Recently, Monfils shared some of the valuable lessons he has picked up from his wife and WTA star Svitolina, which he detailed in his blog. The Frenchman, popularly known as "La Monf," will be in action at the UTS Grand Final in London this weekend.
The first lesson, which Monfils titled, "There is so much value in taking a stance," is based upon her wife's sense of purpose regarding her stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
As he explains, Monfils states that people are always reluctant to take positions because of fear of offending others. But he writes that sometimes taking a stance is the wisest move amid all uncertainty, and we've seen Svitolina live by this motto by not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian players.
"It’s tempting to always take the middle ground and stay neutral, not risk offending anyone. And in many cases, that can be the wise thing to do. But sometimes—when it really matters to you—taking a strong position is the most powerful thing you can do, if only for yourself."
"Standing firm for what you believe definitely opens you up to criticism, but in the end, it gives you a sense of integrity and alignment with oneself. That’s a lesson in courage that I admire so much."
In the second lesson, "Separate your struggles from yourself," Monfils expounds on the benefits of compartmentalizing thoughts and feelings. He lavishes praise on his wife Svitolina, who has managed to have mental clarity while playing tennis.
"From motherhood, to our respective comebacks, to the pressures of public life, to her deeply personal connection to the situation in Ukraine, Elina’s shown me the art of compartmentalizing without over-identifying. Her ability to keep a clear head in the chaos is amazing."
"One way I try to apply this to my own life is by not taking anything personally: if someone criticizes my game, or writes something rude about me online, I remind myself it’s not about me. It’s so simple, but it helps take the sting out of a stressful situation."
The third and last lesson, titled "Responsibility can be as rewarding as risk," is a reminder that responsibility in anything is not a burden but should be viewed as a fulfilling routine.
"Particularly throughout my recovery period, and the first year with our daughter, Elina has shown me that ‘slowing down’ doesn’t have to mean ‘missing out’."
"I’ve learned that when you do anything with enough attention—even the seemingly boring, everyday stuff—it becomes something fulfilling. As a player, husband, and father, I’ve come to realize that being responsible is not just important, but actually pretty cool."
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