By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday March 15 2022
Gael Monfils has a different view of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine than most Frenchmen. The 35-year-old Frenchman, the husband of Ukrainain Elina Svitolina, says simply: “I’m in it.”
Monfils, who was married to the WTA star last year, says that it has been an extremely tough time for his wife.
“I mean, my second family, let's say, is battling,” he said. “It's not easy to see my wife a couple weeks ago crying every night. It was tough. Of course, I was, and I'm being there for her every day, for her, for the family.”
Monfils explains that many members of his new family are still in Ukraine, and it’s too crazy to describe the emotions.
“Still quite a lot of family still there,” he said. “It's tough to describe because I'm in it. I'm in it. And it's just kind of crazy, you know, when you think about it.
“But we try to manage it the best way that we can. And definitely for myself, you know, I try to be the shoulder, to be everything that she can lean on, and definitely to my second family, you know, I do anything for them to make them happy, safe, and everything that I can do.”
Monfils upset World No.1 Daniil Medvedev on Monday at Indian Wells. He will square off with Carlos Alcaraz in round of 16 action on Wednesday in the California desert.
“It's going to be a tough match,” he said. “He's full of confidence, young, hitting big the balls. I just have to play my game and be there and try to find a solution.
“Obviously I've never played him, so it's going to be interesting. I see him winning quite comfortable today. I haven't seen the match. So it means that he is ready to roll. But, yeah, I hope he will find hard work for him in two days.”