(Video) Elina Svitolina and Former French Tennis Players Record a Heartwarming Tribute for Gael Monfils Upon his Retirement

Gael Monfils is set to retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season.

(Video) Elina Svitolina and Former French Tennis Players Record a Heartwarming Tribute for Gael Monfils Upon his Retirement

Gael Monfils received a heartfelt tribute (via Independent)

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Gael Monfils has confirmed he will retire at the end of 2026, closing his career at the Paris Masters. At 39, he remains one of tennis’s most entertaining figures, though recent seasons have been marked by more injuries and missed events. Unlike his French contemporaries Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, and Gilles Simon, who have already retired, Monfils pushed on a little longer to the delight of fans.

To announce the news, he shared a lighthearted video with his compatriots. Gasquet was seen following PSG, Simon was playing video games, and Tsonga was preparing for a trip before Monfils interrupted them with a message about the end of his career. He joked that they could finally go on vacation together, though Tsonga mistakenly thought the holiday was imminent. Monfils reminded him that the celebrations would have to wait until next year.

His friends offered emotional tributes. Simon wished him the chance to enjoy every emotion in his final season. Gasquet remembered meeting Monfils as a teenager and said next year would be about celebrating his immense career, especially at Roland Garros and other tournaments.

Elina Svitolina, his wife, said the last year would be exciting and full of joy, though bittersweet for her and their family. Tsonga reflected that it was not truly an end but a new beginning, telling Monfils to enjoy life with his partner and children, and to live it fully after everything he had given to the sport.

Gael Monfils announces retirement

French tennis star Gael Monfils has announced that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The former world No. 6 shared the news on social media, saying that after turning 39, it felt like the right moment to step away from the sport. He described himself as being at peace with the decision.

Gael Monfils BOSS Open Stuttgart Open 2025 bettors
Gael Monfils (image via Instagram/ Gael Monfils)

Monfils expressed gratitude to his family, coaches, and teammates, while also thanking fans who supported him through the highs and lows of his career. Known for his flair and showmanship, he has long been one of tennis’s most popular players.

Across his career, Monfils collected 13 ATP titles and competed with many of the sport’s greatest champions. His final seasons kept him in the spotlight, even as younger generations rose through the ranks.

In January, he claimed his most recent trophy at 38 years and 132 days, becoming the oldest man to win an ATP Tour event. The victory came 20 years after he lifted his very first title, marking a career defined by both longevity and entertainment.

Elina Svitolina makes major WTA record

Elina Svitolina has reached a historic milestone in tennis, becoming the first Ukrainian player to spend 600 weeks inside the WTA top 100. The 30-year-old currently sits at No. 13 in the world rankings, cementing her status as Ukraine’s most consistent and successful tennis star.

Elina Svitolina (2)
Elina Svitolina (Image via X/WTA)

She first broke into the top 100 in February 2013, at just 18 years old. From that point, she spent 479 straight weeks among the elite until a break in 2022, when she stepped away from the game due to pregnancy. After returning in mid-2023, she quickly reclaimed her place and has now added another 121 consecutive weeks to her tally.

Out of her total, Svitolina has held a place in the top 10 for 218 weeks, with a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in September 2017. No other Ukrainian player comes close to her record, with Lesia Tsurenko next best at 440 weeks, followed by Kateryna Volodko, Natalia Medvedeva, and Alona Bondarenko.

Despite the achievement, Svitolina has ended her 2025 season early. She withdrew from the WTA 1000 in Beijing and confirmed she will not compete again this year, citing mental fatigue after a heavy schedule. The pause allows her to recover before beginning another campaign in 2026.

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