Game, set, split! Elina, Gael end marriage

Elina Svitolina. Pic/Elina’s Instagram; (right) Gael Monfils. Pic/Gael’s Instagram

Tennis fans were left stunned on Monday after the Tour's much-loved couple, Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils, announced the decision to end their five-year marriage.

Svitolina broke the news to her 1.7 million Instagram followers, revealing that the war in her homeland, Ukraine, had played a part in their decision.

"Everyone knows what Ukraine means to me. What I have rarely spoken about is what the war has done to me inside. Some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you. With time, I came to understand that I need to find my way back to myself and that I cannot do that within our marriage," World No. 6 Svitolina said, going on to thank Monfils, who recently retired from professional tennis, for his unwavering support. She also stressed the couple will co-parent their four-year-old daughter, Skai.

"Skai will always come first. Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. [To the fans] we ask for your kindness and the space we need to heal."