Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils welcome first child: ‘Welcome to the world my little princess’

Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils watch a match

Tennis couple Elina Svitolina and Gael Monfils have become parents after announcing the arrival of their daughter on Saturday morning with the new father describing his baby as “my little princess”.

Former world No 3 Svitolina and Monfils, who tied the knot in July 2021, announced in May this year that they were expecting their first child.

And on Saturday the “most beautiful gift” arrived with the new mother tweeting: “What a night !!! Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to Skaï Monfils ❤️

“Can’t thanks enough my husband to live thru this unforgettable moment with me ❤️”

Proud father and former world No 6 Monfils also took to Twitter to announce the birth of his daughter.

“I had the most amazing night of my life, which ended with the most beautiful gift around 6:00Am,” he wrote. “Elina was strong and brave I can t thx enough my wife and God for this special moment Welcome to the world my little princess SKAÏ ❤️”

Ukrainian Svitolina, who last played at the Miami Open in March this year, is yet to confirm if she will return to playing competitive tennis following the birth of her daughter.

Monfils, meanwhile, missed the US Open due to a foot injury and his comeback is yet to confirmed. The 36-year-old Frenchman also missed three months of action earlier this year – including the French Open – after undergoing a minor operation on his right foot.

“I consider myself lucky in my misfortune because I can spend precious moments with my wife and accompany her in the last weeks of her pregnancy,” he wrote in September.

“You will understand that I should adapt my recovery date due to this happy event to come, but I will be sure to give you more details soon.”

Skaï Monfils is the second “tennis baby” to be born in the past week as Rafael Nadal and his wife Mery Perello also became first-time parents last Saturday although the 22-time Grand Slam winner is yet to reveal the name of his new-born son.

In a thank you message to fans on Twitter, Nadal only wrote: “We are very happy and everyone is very well! A big hug.”

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