Gael Monfils has described online criticism aimed at his wife Elina Svitolina as "venomous" and "upsetting".

Earlier this week, Svitolina announced the end of one of tennis’ most prominent relationships in a lengthy Instagram post, attributing the breakdown in part to the impact of the war in her native Ukraine.

This sparked a wave of online hostility towards the world number six, which heightened after she confirmed that the separation had led Monfils to retire earlier than planned.

The 40-year-old Frenchman had originally intended to end his playing career at the Paris Masters next month, but his second-round defeat to Learner Tien at the US Open was his last as a professional.

Monfils published a post on Instagram on Friday evening in defence of Svitolina, whom he married in 2021 and shares a four-year-old daughter, Skai.

“Even though she did not owe anyone an explanation, Elina chose to speak vulnerably and truthfully about her reasons for this decision,” said Monfils.

“She did so in the best way…