Supporting a spouse courtside is deemed more stressful than playing with mixed emotions for tennis couple

In the aftermath of a strong comeback win that moved her into a grand slam quarter-final for the 12th time in her career, Elina Svitolina departed Rod Laver Arena fully aware that her most difficult task of the day was still to come. She warmed down, showered, completed her media obligations and ate her post-match meal, then returned to the courts as a spectator, sitting in the front row of the courtside coaching boxes on Margaret Court to cheer on her husband, Gaël Monfils, in his own fourth round match against Ben Shelton.

“It’s more stressful,” said Monfils of the experience of supporting a spouse courtside, after a back injury ended his match in the fourth set. “It’s more stressful because you’re not in control, you want to help, and you can just help with talking, but it’s different because when you play yourself. You really want to help sometimes, with strategy, or you can see that someone, myself for her, a bit stressed, and you want to help to relax. It’s stressful, but also you try to not show it too much and give as much as you can.”