In the aftermath of a strong comeback win that put her into the 12th grand slam quarter-final of her career, Elina Svitolina left 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,” Monfils said 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. You really want to help, 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.”
