From the outside, Svitolina and Monfils seemed deeply in love and completely stable. That picture shattered on Monday when Svitolina announced their separation. Rumors quickly spread about how it happened, with reports suggesting she broke the news over the phone. At the time, Svitolina was playing tournaments in China, while Monfils was thousands of miles away in Dubai, caring for their four-year-old daughter, Skai.

The disruption in their upcoming schedules proves this wasn’t a planned decision. Weeks before the official announcement, Monfils abruptly removed his name from the active players list, bringing a sudden end to his legendary tennis career. He skipped his highly anticipated farewell tournaments in Lyon and the Paris Masters. Now, with Svitolina bailing on her own WTA 500 event in Tokyo, it is clear that the breakup was a sudden shock rather than a gradual choice.

In her first public comments, Svitolina pointed to the deep emotional toll of the war in her native Ukraine. The ongoing trauma, she explained, changed her completely and strained her marriage. But as public rumors spun out of control, she clarified that a divorce is never caused by just one thing. She admitted she simply reached a point where she “didn’t want to keep living a life where I wasn’t truly happy.” Still, she has continuously praised Monfils for his incredible understanding and support.

Were they just hiding their problems well, or did something unexpected ruin their marriage overnight? Fans have recently re-shared a clip of Svitolina giving an emotional tribute to Monfils’ career, fighting back tears as she talked about his retirement. Tragically, the immediate fallout of their breakup means Monfils didn’t get the grand farewell he earned.

Before things fell apart, Svitolina spoke of his final year on tour with a hopefulness that now feels heartbreaking:

“It’s going to be very fun and enjoyable last year for you and for us as a family and for all the fans. It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be sad, of course. It’s going to be not easy for me personally. Even now I’m tearing up. I’m very happy to be by your side.”

Svitolina is now expected to return to the court for the season-ending WTA Finals, which kick off on November 8 in Indian Wells. This will be her grand return to the elite year-end tournament, having successfully qualified for the first time since 2019.

French sports newspaper L’Équipe reports that Monfils was in Dubai with their daughter after Svitolina left for a series of tournaments in China at the end of September. It was during this period that she reportedly informed him of her decision over the phone.

According to L’Équipe journalist Franck Ramella, Monfils had planned to play in front of his home fans in Lyon and Paris before bringing his professional tennis career to an end. However, the news of his relationship ending prompted an abrupt change of plans. He subsequently withdrew from the anti-doping testing pool, effectively bringing his career to a premature conclusion and abandoning his planned farewell appearances.

“When Monfils learned the news, it hit him like a ton of bricks, and tennis, which he had often experienced as a kind of gentle madness, lost all meaning,” Ramella wrote. “He was no longer able to play.”

Svitolina has also addressed the circumstances surrounding her husband’s retirement in a recent statement, acknowledging that their relationship difficulties played a role in his decision to end his career earlier than expected. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian star is enjoying a strong season on the court, having qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time since 2019.

As you know, Svitolina has offered few clear explanations for the divorce, vaguely attributing the strain in her marriage to the profound emotional impact of the ongoing war in her homeland, which she says has changed her as a person.

The separation is particularly striking given the couple’s public displays of affection just a few months ago.

Gael Monfils to Svitolina at the French Open 5 months ago;

“We’ve been together for 8 beautiful years. I’m not talking about Elina Svitolina the player; I’m talking about the woman, the real woman, my wife. She’s always known how to support me as a man.” https://t.co/xVaHOqzNVg

— Pavvy G (@pavyg) October 19, 2026

At Roland Garros, Monfils delivered an emotional on-court tribute to his wife, leaving Svitolina visibly moved. His words painted a picture of a couple whose bond remained strong after eight years together.

“We’ve been together for eight beautiful years. I’m not talking about Elina Svitolina the player; I’m talking about the woman, the real woman, my wife. She’s always known how to support me as a man,” Monfils said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TNT Sports (@tntsports)

Moreover, when discussing his plans for life after tennis, Monfils made it clear that he would take up an office job in wealth management at a Swiss company. While he was confident about his future in the financial sector, he acknowledged that he would remain connected to tennis through his wife, who continues to compete on the WTA Tour.

Svitolina and Monfils tied the knot in the summer of 2021 after beginning their relationship in late 2018 and going public with their romance in 2019. The couple welcomed their daughter in October 2022. Two days ago, Svitolina publicly announced her decision to end their marriage.

Public reaction has largely been sympathetic toward Monfils, with many commenters arguing that Svitolina’s attempts to explain the reasons behind the divorce are only making her look worse. Others have speculated that the Ukrainian star may already have a new partner and could introduce him publicly in the near future, although no evidence has emerged to substantiate those claims.

The Czech star has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 campaign, winning two titles at the WTA 1000 Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha and the WTA 500 Bad Homburg Open. She also reached the finals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Wimbledon, showcasing her consistency across hard, grass and clay courts.

Notably, six of the eight finalists hail from Slavic countries. Muchova will join Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina at the season-ending championships. This marks her second qualification for the WTA Finals, having withdrawn from the 2023 edition due to injury.

In doubles, Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko, alongside Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs, have also confirmed their places in the tournament. Hsieh and Ostapenko have reached two finals this season, winning the Brisbane International, while Perez and Schuurs have demonstrated consistent form with several deep runs throughout the year. One doubles qualification spot remains available.

Gauff, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, and Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, headline the U.S. squad. Li receives her first Billie Jean King Cup nomination, while Townsend and Melichar-Martinez bolster the team’s doubles lineup. The U.S. will be captained by Lindsay Davenport, a former world No. 1 and International Tennis Hall of Famer.

Hungary has nominated Anna Bondar, Dalma Galfi, Amarissa Toth, Fanny Stollar and Adrienn Nagy, with Kornel Bardoczky serving as captain.

The tie will feature five matches across two days, with two singles matches on Saturday and a doubles match followed by up to two singles matches on Sunday. The first team to win three matches will claim victory and secure a place in the 2027 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers. Play begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on both days, with Tennis Channel broadcasting the action in the United States.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, with two-day packages priced at $50 and single-day tickets at $35. The U.S. is undefeated in four Billie Jean King Cup ties hosted in Delray Beach, most recently sweeping Austria in 2023.

Captains may make up to three roster changes by November 20.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Destanee Aiava (@desaiava)

The Australian-born tennis player, who switched to representing New Zealand in June this year, wowed in an unconventional black wedding gown with a Gothic-inspired aesthetic, while a white floral bouquet offered the only nod to traditional bridal style. Paired with a long black veil, the Gothic-romance masterpiece blended Victorian drama with dark fantasy, featuring a structured corset bodice with intricate ivory lace trim, dramatic off-the-shoulder sleeves and an ultra-voluminous, tiered skirt. The result was a bold bridal look that felt more at home on a high-fashion runway than at a traditional wedding.

The groom embraced the monochromatic theme, wearing an entirely black outfit consisting of a suit, shirt and tie.

“20.10.26 — Our Elopement
A day for just us, beautiful, perfect and ours in every way,” Aiava wrote in the caption accompanying the Instagram carousel.

Earlier this month, Aiava wore a white tassel dress for her bridal shower in Melbourne. For the wedding itself, however, the couple opted for an all-black aesthetic.

While black wedding dresses remain far less common than traditional white gowns, Aiava is not the first WTA player to embrace the look. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, known for her unconventional style on and off the court, chose a black dress for her wedding back in 2008.

Aiava and Gaal, an Australian tennis player, have been together since 2017. They got engaged in February 2024.

Pegula will make her ninth main-draw appearance in Charleston, where she owns a 21–6 record. After reaching the semifinals in 2023 and 2024, she captured consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026.

The world No. 4 commented on her connection to North America’s largest women’s-only professional tennis tournament: “Charleston just feels like home to me. Winning the Credit One Charleston Open back-to-back was such a great feeling, so of course now I want to go for the three-peat in 2027. I love playing in the Lowcountry and the crowds there bring so much energy. I always seem to end up in some big matches in Charleston and I can’t wait to be back to play in front of the fans again.”

Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment said: “Jess is playing the best tennis of her career, and what makes us even prouder is the impact she’s having on the game. As a member of the tournament council, she is helping drive meaningful change for women’s tennis. We look forward to watching her go for the three-peat on Daniel Island.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to healthy, active lifestyles and the pursuit of excellence, values embodied by the world’s top women’s tennis players. Recognizing the role nutrition plays in strength, endurance and recovery, FAGE’s sponsorship of the WTA Finals highlights the link between balanced nutrition, overall well-being and elite performance, while inspiring fans to embrace healthier lifestyles and pursue their own fitness goals.

Announcing the new multi-year partnership, WTA Chair Valerie Camillo outlined an ambitious vision for the tournament, stating that the goal is to make the WTA Finals “the Super Bowl of women’s sports.” She added that FAGE’s commitment is “a strong endorsement of the momentum behind this vision, women’s tennis, and the opportunity ahead.”

Jeffrey Scipione, FAGE’s Chief Commercial Officer, also welcomed the partnership, describing it as an important milestone in the company’s involvement in tennis.

“Becoming title partner of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells and Charlotte marks an exciting next chapter in FAGE’s commitment to tennis. The WTA Finals celebrates the talent, dedication and exceptional achievements of the world’s best players, making it a natural fit for our brand that has stayed true to its roots and an uncompromising commitment to quality for 100 years,” Scipione said.

FAGE’s partnership with the WTA builds on its existing portfolio of tennis sponsorships, which includes the US Open, the LTA, the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup.

In her recent Wuhan Open semifinal against eventual champion Maja Chwalinska, Swiatek struggled with a painful left thigh injury and battled to get through the match. Given the severity of the issue, her decision to sit out the remainder of the season comes as little surprise. The extended break should give the Pole a much-needed opportunity to recover after an exceptionally demanding couple of years.

Although 2026 marked Swiatek’s first season without a Grand Slam title since 2021, and she has slipped to No. 9 in the rankings, the former world No. 1 remains positive about her progress and is already looking ahead to next season. “I’m especially proud of the work we’ve done in the second half of the year and the progress that came with it. It gives me a lot of confidence in what’s ahead,” the 25-year-old said.

The only title Swiatek won in 2026 was the Canadian Open in August.

Many people found her explanation confusing and vague, prompting the Ukrainian WTA star to take to Instagram a day later in an attempt to clarify her decision.

First, Svitolina explained that her initial post had focused on just one reason for the separation, whereas the reality was far more complicated. “The truth is, there’s so much more to it, and it was never just about one thing,” the 32-year-old wrote.

Once again, however, she placed the war at the center of her explanation. And, to be honest, I still find it difficult to fully understand this connection. Many people have endured war, and such devastating circumstances often instantly bring people closer together, as the immediate danger can make all their differences and conflicts disappear. This is the first time I have heard someone cite war as a major factor in the breakdown of their marriage. But here is how Svitolina explains it:

When you’ve been living through the reality of war for more than 4.5 years, experiencing so many different situations, emotions, and difficult moments, you naturally start seeing life differently. Your perspective changes, your values and priorities shift, and you begin to understand what you truly want out of life.

She then acknowledged something that perhaps offers a more direct insight into her decision: she was not truly happy.

“I simply realized that I didn’t want to keep living a life where I wasn’t truly happy,” she admitted.

In her original announcement, Svitolina acknowledged Monfils’ unwavering support throughout their struggles. In her follow-up post, she once again made a point of expressing her love and admiration for him.

“I love and respect my husband very much. And I will always love and appreciate him for the person he is,” she wrote.

Ultimately, though, this additional statement has done little to clarify the situation beyond what Svitolina shared in her initial announcement. She has made it clear that her decision was not driven by a single factor, while also emphasizing the profound impact the war has had on her outlook on life. Yet the precise reasons behind the separation remain unclear.

Svitolina also noted that “some things are simply too personal to share publicly.” And perhaps that is where the real explanation lies.

Svitolina and Monfils married in July 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland, after beginning their relationship in 2019. The tennis couple briefly split in February 2021 before reconciling and tying the knot later that year. They welcomed their daughter, Skai, in October 2022.

Barty, who retired in 2022 while ranked world No. 1, won three Grand Slam singles titles at Roland Garros (2019), Wimbledon (2021) and the Australian Open (2022). She also claimed the 2018 US Open doubles title, collected 15 WTA singles titles and spent 121 weeks at the top of the rankings. Named WTA Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021, she finished her career with a 305–102 singles record.

Kuznetsova also enjoyed success in both singles and doubles, winning the 2004 US Open and 2009 Roland Garros in singles, along with Australian Open doubles titles in 2005 and 2012. She accumulated 18 WTA singles titles and 16 doubles titles, reached career-high rankings of No. 2 in singles and No. 3 in doubles, and helped Russia win three Billie Jean King Cup titles.

Both players are in the ballot alongside 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro. In the Wheelchair Tennis Category, Japanese legend Shingo Kunieda, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist and 28-time major singles champion, is also nominated.

Fans can vote for their preferred Player Category nominees at vote.tennisfame.com through Sunday, October 25. The top three candidates in the fan vote will receive bonus percentage points toward their Official Voting Group results: three points for first place, two for second, and one for third. Candidates must receive at least 75% of the Official Voting Group vote, including any bonus points earned through fan voting, to be elected.

The Class of 2027 inductees will be announced later this fall.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, who quit professional tennis in July 2024, made history by becoming the first player to win the Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters twice. Kerber sealed her latest triumph with a convincing 6-4 6-2 victory over Wickmayer. During her post-match speech, the 38-year-old German hinted at a possible return to Luxembourg in 2027, leaving the door open to another title defense.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Angelique Kerber (@angie.kerber)

The Luxembourg Ladies Tennis Masters is an invitational tournament featuring internationally renowned former players who no longer hold active WTA rankings. The event’s lineup typically includes players who have reached the world’s Top 10 and Top 50 during their careers. Alongside the two finalists, this year’s field featured Monica Puig, Tatjana Golovin, Agnieszka Radwanska, Alize Cornet, Petra Kvitova, Magdalena Rybarikova.

Following her triumph, Kerber took to Instagram to reflect on her brief return to competition. “Nothing quite like being back on court. The fans, the atmosphere and sharing the court with fellow legends made this past week so special,” she wrote.

Kerber’s last match before retiring came at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Since then, the German has welcomed two children, daughter Liana in February 2023 and son Ben in June 2025.

“This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to share,” Svitolina began her deeply personal Instagram announcement, which was accompanied by a black-and-white photo of herself and Monfils.

In her emotional statement, Svitolina opened up about the struggles that led to their decision to separate, pointing to the profound impact the ongoing war in her home country has had on her. She explained that the experience had changed her on the inside, leaving her feeling emotionally lost, with sleepless nights, doubts, and a growing sense that she was slowly losing herself.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SVITO (@elisvitolina)

Svitolina also acknowledged Monfils’ unwavering support throughout their struggles, emphasizing that he had always stood by her side. However, she admitted that love alone could not resolve the battles she was facing within herself.

“We fought through this together for a long time, with everything we had. But some battles happen deep inside you, and no amount of love from someone else can win them for you,” she wrote.

“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. It is the hardest truth I have ever had to face and the hardest thing I have ever had to tell the person I love. Gael listened. He has respected what I need with a strength and grace I will never forget.”

Despite the end of their marriage, Svitolina made it clear that their daughter will remain their top priority, stressing that their separation would not break up their family.

“Our marriage is ending, but our family is not. We will always be her parents, side by side, at every step of her life,” she added.

The announcement comes just two days after Svitolina celebrated a major career milestone, officially qualifying for the WTA Finals Indian Wells and securing the seventh of eight coveted spots at the season-ending championships. The 32-year-old will compete at the prestigious event for the fourth time in her career, returning to the elite stage for the first time since 2019.

Svitolina and Monfils married in July 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland, after beginning their relationship in 2019. The tennis couple briefly split in February 2021 before reconciling and tying the knot later that year. They welcomed their daughter, Skai, in October 2022.

Playing in just her second tournament since returning from a six-month absence due to a back injury, the world No.170 Kartal made a strong start, racing to a 2-0 lead. Although Chwalinska briefly threatened to fight back with a break in the third game, Kartal quickly reasserted her dominance, stretching her advantage to 4-1. The Pole managed to hold serve just once throughout the opening set, as Kartal remained in control, moved confidently around the court and kept her composure to convert her third set point.

The 16th-seeded Chwalinska fought hard in a grueling second set, refusing to let Kartal run away with the match. Kartal picked up where she had left off in the opener, racing to a 2-0 lead, but, just as in the first set, Chwalinska broke back to make it 1-2 as signs of nervousness began to creep into Kartal’s game. This time, however, the world No. 22 went a step further, leveling at 2-2 before earning a crucial break in a lengthy seventh game, converting her fourth break point to move ahead 4-3. Kartal immediately hit back to level at 4-4, but Chwalinska broke again to lead 5-4 and held her nerve to convert her second set point, forcing a deciding set.

Displaying her remarkable touch with a series of exquisite lobs, Chwalinska turned the match around in spectacular fashion, surging to a 5-2 lead in the deciding set. Kartal produced a late fightback, earning three break points as the Pole served for the title, but Chwalinska held her nerve and converted her third match point to seal a memorable victory.

The 25-year-old Chwalinska made her breakthrough at Roland Garros earlier in 2026, reaching the final as a qualifier before finishing runner-up to Mirra Andreeva. She became only the second qualifier in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles final, after Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open.

At the Wuhan Open in China, she defeated Mayar Sherif, Marie Bouzkova, No. 10 seed Iva Jovic, Maria Sakkari and No. 7 seed Iga Swiatek to reach the final. Her semifinal victory over Swiatek marked her first career Top 10 win, and she capped off the week by beating Kartal to capture her maiden WTA title, while also denying the Briton the chance to become Britain’s No. 1 player.

As the Wuhan Open champion, Chwalinska will pocket $665,000 in prize money and earn 1,000 PIF WTA Ranking points. Kartal, meanwhile, will receive $385,001 and 650 ranking points for her runner-up finish.

The 24-year-old German began the season at a career-high ranking of No. 39, having recently signed a major sponsorship deal with Lacoste. However, a disappointing 8-19 win-loss record in 2026 has seen her ranking plummet to No. 136. Lys has now decided to end her season early to focus on her physical and mental well-being.

“It’s been frustrating, exhausting and at times really hard to accept, especially when you work so hard for something and your body and mind just don’t cooperate,” Lys wrote in a message explaining why this has been one of the most difficult periods of her life.

Her arthritis has been especially challenging to manage this year, prompting her to make a significant change to her treatment after more than six years.

“We’ve decided to take a big step and change my treatment. It’s a big adjustment, and something that will take time, but I’m hopeful that it’s a step in the right direction,” she added.

Hopefully, stepping away from competition will give Lys the time and space she needs to focus on her health. Here’s hoping that 2027 brings her renewed strength and better health.

The 32-year-old is heading to the WTA Finals for the fourth time in her career, returning to the elite stage for the first time since 2019. She has fond memories of the tournament, having lifted the trophy in 2018 without losing a single match before reaching the final again the following year.

Seven years after her last WTA Finals appearance, Svitolina is returning to the season-ending showpiece with an extra-special distinction: she becomes the first mother to qualify for the singles event since Kim Clijsters in 2010.

Svitolina is the seventh player to secure her place in the eight-woman field, joining world No. 1 Elena Rybakina, Indian Wells and Miami champion Aryna Sabalenka, Roland Garros winner Mirra Andreeva, Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, and American stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. With just one place remaining, the race for the final qualification spot is heating up.

Svitolina’s return to the tournament has been fueled by an outstanding 2026 campaign, highlighted by two titles that brought her career tally to 20 — the fifth-highest total among active players. She captured the WTA 1000 Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome and opened her season by winning the WTA 250 ASB Classic in Auckland. She also reached the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

The match was the first all-Polish semifinal clash at a Tour-level tournament in the Open Era. However, the WTA has previously witnessed an all-Polish final, when Magda Linette defeated Magdalena Frech to win the 2024 Prague title.

At times, Swiatek appeared visibly distressed and on the verge of tears. Late in the opening set, she called for a medical timeout to receive treatment on her left thigh, with the pain and discomfort clearly affecting her immensely.

Iga Swiatek is struggling 💔 https://t.co/7qIoxplNqS

— Kalshi Tennis (@KalshiTen) October 17, 2026

The six-time Grand Slam champion initially showed tremendous fight, recovering from an early break to level at 3-3 before moving ahead 5-3. However, with the set within her grasp, Swiatek missed two set points in the following game, allowing Chwalinska to break back and seize control. Swiatek eventually lost four consecutive games and surrendered the set.

Despite her obvious discomfort, the world No. 9 chose to continue, but she greatly struggled to compete, managing to win just one game in the second set before her Wuhan campaign ended in defeat.

Chwalinska has now claimed the first Top 10 victory of her career. In the upcoming final, the Roland Garros runner-up will face fellow Wuhan debutante Sonay Kartal, who made history by becoming the lowest-ranked player ever to reach a WTA 1000 final.

Set to Indila’s track Dernière Danse, the steamy bathroom snap shows Kasatkina embracing her wife from behind, using her arms to cover Zabiiako’s bare chest. Meanwhile, the former Olympic figure skater closes her eyes and raises her hands to pull both her own hair and Kasatkina’s up. The picture also puts Zabiiako’s impressively toned physique on full display. Embedding of the photo has been restricted, but you can click here and see it on Instagram.

The number five in the caption marks the couple’s fifth anniversary together, which they celebrated with the words, “First 5 years of infinity.” Kasatkina has made no secret of just how much her wife means to her. In an earlier anniversary post, the WTA player wrote, “Thanks for being the best thing in my life.”

The couple got engaged in June 2025 before tying the knot in July 2026 in a romantic seaside ceremony in Athens, Greece, surrounded by close family and fellow tennis professionals.

Kasatkina, who switched her sporting allegiance from Russia to Australia in 2025, most recently competed at the Wuhan Open in China after coming through qualifying. Her campaign ended in the first round, where she fell to Jelena Ostapenko 6-1 6-1.

Making her tournament debut in Wuhan, Kartal survived a dramatic battle against the former French Open champion, recovering from a double-break deficit in the opening set. Ostapenko led 4-1 in both sets but failed to convert either advantage into a set win. In the 72-minute opener, she served for the set twice but could not close it out, missing three set points along the way. Kartal also squandered two set points before eventually prevailing 11-9 in a dramatic tiebreak.

In just the third all-unseeded semifinal in Wuhan tournament history, Kartal rallied from 1-4 down in the second set, winning three consecutive games to level at 4-4 before saving three set points to force a tiebreak, where she once again held her nerve to seal the victory.

Kartal has also made history for British tennis, becoming only the second British player to reach a Tier I/WTA 1000 final since the format’s introduction in 1990. She follows Johanna Konta, who reached three such finals in Beijing (2016), Miami (2017) and Rome (2019).

Kartal’s remarkable run in Wuhan has included victories over Anhelina Kalinina, ninth seed Belinda Bencic, 15th seed Jasmine Paolini and fifth seed Elina Svitolina, before she stunned Ostapenko in the semifinals to reach the biggest final of her career.

Vondrousova received the suspension after failing to answer the door to a doping control officer attempting to conduct an out-of-competition test in December 2025. Her ban is set to run until June 21, 2030. In a lengthy statement, the 27-year-old opened up about how the suspension has affected not only her career but also her personal life and relationships.

Having spent much of her life immersed in the sport, many of Vondrousova’s closest friends are tennis players, as is her boyfriend Andrew Paulson, making the ban particularly difficult to navigate. Although she continues to travel to tournaments with her love partner, she cannot attend his matches in person. Instead, she has to watch them online from her hotel room.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Markéta Vondroušová (@marketavondrousova)

“Because of my ban, I can’t go to his tournaments to support him, not even as a regular spectator without accreditation,” Vondrousova wrote in her statement on Instagram. The former world No. 6 also revealed that the experience brought her to tears the first time she had to watch her boyfriend play this way. Something that had once been a completely ordinary part of her life had suddenly become impossible.

The restrictions are not the only aspect of the suspension that continues to affect Vondrousova. Despite being unable to compete, she remains subject to anti-doping obligations, including providing information about her whereabouts and making herself available for testing.

“I still have to submit my whereabouts, meaning information about where I am, and provide a specific one-hour slot every single day when I’m available for testing,” she explained. Vondrousova added that all her tests have come back negative, yet this has done nothing to ease the restrictions she faces.

In the comments, many fans have expressed their support for Vondrousova, with some questioning the disparity between her four-year ban and Nick Kyrgios’ one-month suspension following a positive test for cocaine. However, allowing athletes to refuse testing without serious consequences would undermine the entire anti-doping system, as no testing program can be effective if players can simply opt out of being tested.

👀 https://t.co/Y3ZO3pd2Uq

— Madziol (@madziol127) October 14, 2026

Chatting with former Czech tennis stars Klara Suchonova (formerly Koukalova) and Andrea Sestini Hlavackova, Hantuchova shared some WTA ‘diva’ stories that quickly grabbed attention. In her role at the Madrid Open, Hantuchova said she was surprised by the attitude of some WTA players toward their responsibilities beyond the court. She claimed she couldn’t persuade a single Top 5 women’s player to spend just 10 minutes with the main sponsor. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, she added, agreed immediately.

“Where is the respect and gratitude?” Hantuchova asked, expressing her belief that today’s stars want ever-higher prize money without giving enough back to the sport.

🎾🇸🇰 Daniela Hantuchová exposes the WTA’s “spoiled” stars! While managing the Madrid tournament, she couldn’t convince a single Top 5 player to spend 10 minutes with a main sponsor. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner immediately agreed.
Then came a citywide blackout in Madrid – yet Iga Świątek’s mental coach reportedly demanded heated chicken at 11 AM! Hantuchová also claims Świątek once personally brought her dirty laundry, expecting her to deal with it. 😳
“Where is the respect and gratitude?” asks the former world No. 5, who believes today’s stars want ever-higher prize money without giving enough back to the sport.

— First Serve (@1st_serve_news) October 14, 2026

The one player she named specifically was Swiatek. The first incident Hantuchova described happened during Madrid’s citywide blackout in 2025, when Swiatek’s mental coach, Daria Abramowicz, allegedly requested warm chicken at 11 a.m. Hantuchova also recounted an encounter in which Swiatek brought her dirty laundry and asked what to do with it.

Hantuchova’s criticism reflects a concern that some players expect more from tournaments while giving too little in return, particularly when it comes to sponsor commitments and showing appreciation for the people working behind the scenes.

However, Swiatek deserves some benefit of the doubt before being branded a diva. First, even when there is no electricity, there still are ways to heat up food. Although the power outage was unexpected and everyone should have adjusted their expectations to accommodate the difficult circumstances, asking for a hot meal is not a sin. Secondly, when it comes to the laundry, Swiatek certainly didn’t expect Hantuchova to wash her clothes, but simply to help her find the laundry service at the venue. Hantuchova’s job at the tournament was to take care of players, so they reached out to her with their questions and problems.