Jessica Pegula’s Coach Saddened by Gael Monfils’ Early Retirement Following Elina Svitolina Split
Jessica Pegula's coach, Mark Knowles, expressed his disappointment after learning that Gael Monfils ended his tennis career sooner than expected following his separation from Elina Svitolina. The French star was supposed to have a farewell appearance at the Paris Masters, but plans changed after the couple announced their split.
The two tennis professionals concluded their five-year marriage this month, both releasing statements addressing the breakup. Svitolina faced criticism for mentioning the Russia-Ukraine war as one of the reasons behind the split, prompting Monfils to defend her publicly.
Monfils Cuts Farewell Season Short
The 40-year-old former World No. 6 had intended to say goodbye to fans at the Paris Masters in front of his home crowd. Instead, his last competitive match came earlier this year when he lost in the second round of the US Open to Learner Tien.
Mark Knowles, a 55-year-old former ATP doubles No. 1 and current coach of Jessica Pegula, shared his thoughts on The Inside-In Tennis Podcast:
"Obviously super bummed out that our guy and everybody’s favorite, Gael Monfils, won’t get his send-off in Bercy (Paris). Really unfortunate what’s happening there, without knowing the situation."
Knowles added how much respect he has for Monfils, describing him as one of the most beloved figures on the tour:
"I was fortunate enough to play on tour with Gael for a long time. I’ve been able to cover him doing broadcasting and seeing him every week. To me, he’s one of my favorite guys that I was ever around on tour, covering generation after generation, one of my all-time favorites."
He wrapped up by praising Monfils as a great entertainer:
"Really bummed for him, but always thinking about him and just thankful I got to be around him, watch him play – probably the greatest showman we’ve ever had in our sport."
Elina Svitolina Set for WTA Finals Appearance
Elina Svitolina, currently ranked No. 6 in WTA singles, recently competed in Wuhan where she reached the quarterfinals before losing to Sonay Kartal, who went on to become the runner-up.
The Ukrainian star has secured qualification for the year-end WTA Finals, where she is expected to participate. Svitolina won this prestigious tournament in 2018 with a memorable comeback against Sloane Stephens and nearly defended her title in 2019, losing in the final to former No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.
Support Amidst Backlash
Both players have faced public scrutiny since announcing their separation. Notable tennis legends like Martina Navratilova and Boris Becker have voiced support for Monfils and Svitolina, condemning the harsh reactions they received online. Monfils himself responded to the negativity directed at Svitolina with strong words against the hate.
