Elina Svitolina Skips WTA Finals Group Photo Over Russian Rivals
Elina Svitolina refused the WTA Finals group photo over Russian and Belarusian rivals. The boycott follows her recent separation from Gael Monfils, linked to the psychological toll of the war in Ukraine.
The geopolitical tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to cast a shadow over professional tennis, as Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina refused to participate in the traditional group photoshoot ahead of the WTA Finals. The boycott was prompted by the presence of her Russian and Belarusian rivals, Mirra Andreeva and Aryna Sabalenka. Following her refusal, organizers altered their original plans, replacing the joint photo of all eight participants with individual portraits as part of a fashion-themed project dubbed Courtside Couture.
The 32-year-old Svitolina has consistently declined to shake hands with players from Russia and Belarus since the invasion of her homeland in February 2022. This time, she made it clear she was unwilling to pose alongside competitors she is scheduled to face in the round-robin stage of the prestigious tournament.
This latest development unfolds against the backdrop of a personal upheaval revealed by the Ukrainian athlete last month, when she announced her separation from her husband, French tennis player Gael Monfils. Svitolina pointed to the ongoing war and its heavy psychological toll as core factors behind their marital strain.
"This is the hardest thing I have ever had to share. Everyone knows how much Ukraine means to me. I have barely spoken about what the war has done to me inside," she wrote in her separation statement. She praised Monfils for his unwavering support throughout the ordeal: "He saw everything. He never let go of my hand. We fought together for a long time, with everything we had. But there are battles that happen deep within you, and no amount of love from another person can win them for you."
Married in July 2021, the couple shares a four-year-old daughter. Svitolina emphasized that despite the end of their marriage, they remain united for their child: "Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, at every stage of her life."
Monfils publicly defended his estranged wife following the announcement, pushing back against the online criticism she faced. "Although she didn't owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak honestly and reveal her reasons. Many decided her explanation wasn't good enough, and she faced criticism that was unpleasant at best and toxic at the worst," he wrote.
