Gael Monfils Prepares to Be ‘Finance Guy’ After Tennis Retirement: “I Will Work in Office”

Gael Monfils is one of those players who is highly expressive and knows how to entertain the crowd through his playful antics. This side of Monfils comes out on the court, where the sport gives him a safe space to let go of his emotions. But Monfils also has another side, a more serious one.

Monfils has already decided what the next chapter of his life will look like. The legendary showman will trade the tennis court for an office. The 40-year-old played his career’s final Grand Slam match on Thursday (September 4). After coming from a set down to defeat Adolfo Daniel Vallejos Alvarez in the first round, the Frenchman lost to Learner Tien in straight sets in the second round.

Monfils will retire at the end of this season, after which he will become a “finance guy”. At the press conference after losing to Tien, Monfils said he will work for a Swiss wealth management company.

I have a new chapter coming next year. I’ll be work in finance. I already signed to work in wealth management in a Swiss company. My next chapter is looking more in an office and working in finance. I will always have a look on tennis because I love the sport, my wife’s playing. I don’t think next year I will do so much about tennis. I’ll be around, no matter what, for Elina [Svitolina] a little bit, but I’ll be more of a finance guy.

Monfils, ranked 311st, received a wild card to feature in the main draw rounds. At the US Open, he made just one semifinal in 2016; since then, he has reached just one quarterfinal, in 2019. Monfils, a former World No.6, made just two Grand Slam semifinals, one at Flushing Meadows and at the 2008 French Open.

I think you should ask my wife, you’ll be very surprised – of course, in tennis I am the way I am- but she can tell you that she wish I be like this at home. I think at home I’m a little bit more strict, more serious, completely different. Here is my joy place where I can let my emotion go.

Gael Monfils added

Monfils didn’t play at Wimbledon because he wasn’t given a wild card. At the Australian Open and the French Open this year, his run ended in the first round.

Learner Tien on his match against Gael Monfils

Before arriving in New York, Gael Monfils had played the two Masters 1000s on the North American hardcourt swing. In Cincinnati, his run ended at the hands of Rinky Hijikata in the opening round, while at the Canadian Open, Learner Tien beat him in the opening round.

I told him when we played in Montreal, ‘I hope we get to play one more time.’ I know we didn’t have many opportunities left. I’m super happy it happened here. Sorry for drop-shotting you so much tonight.

Learner Tien said during his on-court interview after defeating Gael Monfils at the US Open

Tien will next be locking horns with Jakub Mensik in the third round. The two youngsters met only once, in the group stage of the 2024 Next-Gen ATP Finals. The American ace won that match in five sets.

Tien made his Grand Slam main draw debut in his home Slam back in 2022. He lost in the first round. Tien, in fact, lost in the first round in his next three appearances in the event.

He produced his best Grand Slam performance at the Australian Open this year when he reached the quarterfinals. Tien has already played three tour-level finals, losing the 2025 China Open and winning the 2025 Moselle Open and the 2026 Geneva Open.

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