Stefanos Tsitsipas Reacts After Gael Monfils Ends Career Following Separation From Elina Svitolina

Stefanos Tsitsipas is competing at the Almaty Open, an ATP 250 event in Kazakhstan. In Paris, another ATP 250 event, the Lyon Open, is underway.

Gael Monfils was scheduled to play in his home tournament. After Lyon, Monfils wanted to hang up his racket at the Paris Masters, set to start on November 2. But on October 5, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) added him to its retired players list, to the surprise of the tennis world.

A few days later, Elina Svitolina announced that she wanted to separate from Monfils. In another post, she confirmed that the split led to Monfils’ early retirement.

But Stan Wawrinka, who competed at the Lyon Open and lost to Flavio Cobolli in the second round, has confirmed that Monfils will be there in Geneva for his farewell ceremony. Wawrinka and Monfils will compete in singles. Later, Wawrinka and compatriot Roger Federer will lock horns with Monfils and Andy Murray in doubles.

Wawrinka will play the last professional tournament of his career at the Swiss Indoors. Reacting to Wawrinka and Monfils’ decision to retire from tennis this year, Tsitsipas, at a press conference in Almaty, said:

They’ve played a long time on the tour. I remember watching Stan and Gael when I was a child. I’m talking about eight, nine years old, that’s how many years they’ve been playing. And they know it’s their time, they’re aware of it. For some, it’s more difficult to accept that they will be stopping professional tennis in a few weeks. For some, it’s a more clear, easier decision to make. I always encourage people like that, they should always look at the other side of life.

Monfils played his final match of his career in the second round of the US Open against Learner Tien. His career’s final title came at the 2025 ASB Classic (defeated Zizou Bergs).

I respect those that retire and retire for good. For me, they have massive respect that they’ve taken that decision, they stick to the decision, and for those that know what they’re going to do after their career. There’s a lot of respect on that too, that they don’t get anxious that life without tennis is going to be a difficult place to cope with.

Stefanos Tsitsipas added

At the Almaty Open, the Greek ace beat Aleksandar Kovacevic, Mikhail Kukushkin, and James Duckworth to schedule his next match against Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Stefanos Tsitsipas on why he prefers a non-tennis girlfriend

Following the Gael Monfils-Elina Svitolina split, former WTA player Andrea Petkovic discussed the challenges of dating in tennis on The Bid T Podcast. She said the tennis schedule makes it tough for young couples, as players are on the move most of the time in a year.

Stefanos Tsitsipas also blamed tennis for his breakup with Paula Badosa. During a press conference in Almaty, Tsitsipas said dating a WTA player makes it difficult for him to forget about tennis for a while. Another factor in the separation was that Tsitsipas didn’t like the constant media attention, as he prefers to keep his relationships private.

Having a private life for me is the most important thing. I was never a fan of being in the public eye, especially when I’m with someone. I’m a private person, and that made me feel very uncomfortable. I’ve never shared that with people before, but I don’t thrive in that environment. I like some things for myself.

Stefanos Tsitsipas said (H/T: Daily Express)

They started dating in May 2023, but broke up for the first time about a year later, then got back together a few days later. They split for the last time after their Wimbledon exits last year. Tsitsipas is now dating Kristen Thoms.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz and Ex-Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero Are Set to Cross Paths Again at ATP Finals