Elina Svitolina is on a hot streak at the 2026 Italian Open. After coming back to defeat Elena Rybakina 2-6, 6-4,6-4, in the quarterfinals, she reached her first semifinal in eight years.
Svitolina, the No. 7 seed, who won the Italian Open title back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, takes on Iga Swiatek, the No. 4 seed, in the semifinals on May 14. Swiatek moved into the semifinals after taking down U.S. star Jessica Pegula in straight sets.
Svitolina, who saved 16 break points against Rybakina, the No. 2-ranked player, felt even more special as a mom. She shares a daughter with her husband, fellow tennis star Gael Monfils.
GettyElina Svitolina of Ukraine celebrates after winning match point against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the 2026 Italian Open.
“After giving birth to our beautiful daughter, Skai, it’s really special for me to have these kinds of moments on the court,” she said during her on-court interview. “Coming back to the top-10, playing big matches, winning them, it gives me such an amazing and really precious feeling to continue and to go for more.”
Elina Svitolina’s Husband, Gael Monfils, Shared Photos of Their ‘Beautiful Family’ Before the Italian Open
Before Svitolina’s successful run in Rome, Monfils shared a few snapshots from their home life. The 39-year-old Frenchman, who’s set to retire this year, enjoyed a day of golfing with his wife and daughter.
He captioned the post, “Beautiful family Sunday ❤️ with our very special photographer 📸,” as Skai took the pictures. Svitolina joked in the comments, “Not sure last pic was approved tho 🤦🏼♀️😂😂❤️.”
Svitolina and Monfils first met in Paris in 2018, and he proposed in 2021. They tied the knot on July 16 of that year and welcomed Skai on October 15, 2022.
“I had known Gael for quite some time, as we constantly participated in the same tournaments. But there was very little communication: he knew that I was in a long relationship,” Svitolina said in 2019, People reported.
“At the end of 2018, after winning the final tournament [in Singapore], I went to celebrate with my Paris friends. I posted a photo on Instagram, and Gael wrote to me. We met and could no longer part.”
Gael Monfils Is Amazed By His Wife Elina Svitolina’s Return to Tennis After Giving Birth
GettyGael Monfils of France, husband of Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.
Monfils, who was given a wild card to compete in what will be his final major at the 2026 French Open, previously gushed over his wife’s return to tennis less than a year after their daughter was born.
”I’m surprised how well she came back, how strong she is mentally and physically. It’s just amazing,” he said at a 2024 press conference.
“She’s a great mother first. That’s first. People want to put tennis first, but I think she’s a great mother first. This is the most important for me as her husband because of course we are a tennis couple but life is beyond our sport. She’s an excellent and great mother and as you said she managed it well on the court. I’m surprised how well she came back, how strong she is mentally and physically. It’s just amazing.”
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