The 2026 US Open has already produced several memorable moments even before the singles competition takes centre stage. Among them is the heartwarming run of Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina, the only married couple in the mixed-doubles draw. Starting with a wild card, the husband-and-wife duo made a surprise run to the semi-finals, turning the tournament into a special family memory during the final year of Monfils' professional career.
It was the first time Monfils and Svitolina had competed together in a serious doubles event, but their chemistry was evident from the opening round. They first defeated Alexandra Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime before producing another impressive performance against the world's top-ranked doubles pairing, Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova, in the quarter-finals.
Svitolina said their mutual understanding and emotional support helped them survive the challenging quarter-final encounter.
"We had lots of nice moments, and I think we understand each other and what we're going through during this moment after the win. So, yeah, it's amazing to have my husband next to me and supporting me. I think this is what got us through," Svitolina told JioHotstar.
A SPECIAL US OPEN MEMORY FOR THE MONFILS-SVITOLINA FAMILY
With Monfils approaching the final stage of his career, Svitolina understood that their doubles campaign carried a significance beyond the result.
"It would be the most special year for Gal, as the last one, and of course, playing together. It's amazing, and yeah, just looking forward to more memories," she said.
The pair came within one match of reaching the final when they met Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli in the semi-finals. A victory would have given them the opportunity to compete together for the US Open mixed-doubles title.
However, Bencic and Cobolli ended their run with a 5-4(7), 1-4, 10-5 victory, denying the couple a place in the championship match.
For Monfils, though, the experience was about much more than the result.
"It's a great honour, to be honest, in the last year, playing together for the first and last time. It's something that, you know, will stay with us forever, for our daughter, who'll see that mommy and daddy played together. So, for me, I think it's just amazing."
MONFILS AND SVITOLINA NOW TURN TO SINGLES
The couple will now shift their attention to their respective singles campaigns. Monfils begins his final US Open appearance against Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, while ninth seed Svitolina will take on Argentina's Solana Sierra in the women's singles opening round.
Both players arrive in New York with impressive Grand Slam records. Monfils has won more Grand Slam singles matches than any other Frenchman, while his tally of more than 130 major victories without ever reaching a singles final highlights his remarkable consistency and longevity.
Svitolina, meanwhile, remains one of the most accomplished women's players yet to reach a Grand Slam final. Her run to the semi-finals of the 2026 Australian Open added another significant achievement to her career.
Their mixed-doubles journey may have ended just short of the final, but the significance of the campaign was never solely about winning a trophy. For Monfils and Svitolina, their first and last competitive appearance as a doubles team has already created a lasting memory — one they can share with their daughter long after Monfils' playing career comes to an end.
