Gael Monfils Has a Befitting Reply to Bettors Abusing Him on Social Media Following Stuttgart Loss

38-year-old Gael Monfils lost in three sets to 20-year-old Alex Michelsen in his opening round match at Stuttgart Open.

Gael Monfils Has a Befitting Reply to Bettors Abusing Him on Social Media Following Stuttgart Loss

Gael Monfils (image via Instagram/ Gael Monfils)

With a pinch of humor, Gael Monfils hit back at bettors who flooded his social media with abuse after the Frenchman’s defeat in the opening round of the Stuttgart Open. The 38-year-old put up a good fight against 20-year-old Alex Michelsen before losing 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

The loss didn’t sit well with some of the bettors as they went on to abuse Monfils on social media, with some even remarking that they wished that he suffered a leg break or a career-ending injury. Monfils decided to go at the trolls in an Instagram story and launched a long rant (and not financial advice!). Monfils said in a hilarious manner that he knew he was ‘sh*t’ and questioned the judgement of bettors who bet on him against a 20-year-old player.

Hey guys, it’s not financial advice, but really, you’re still betting on me? First tournament on grass, I play Alex Michelsen, 20 years old, and you wanna bet on me? You are writing that I’m sh*t. I know I’m sh*t. We both know I’m sh*t and you still bet on me? Who is the dumbest between you and me, to be honest? No, come on. By the way, my legs already cracked many times. I’ve played with a broken leg already. So don’t pray for that, but the thing is, I’m not suffering, sorry!

He was also subject to racist abuses, which he addressed in his message, stating that he knows that he is pretty because his mother and his wife, Elina Svitolina, say so. He added:

Again, I’m going to mention it, we are in 2025, and you give me the skin color. What does my skin color have to do with my tennis performance? I know I look pretty. I mean, I say that because my mom and my wife tell me I look pretty. Maybe I look really awful for you. Open some books, do something. This time, you know, with skin color, you know it’s finished, vanish it from your mind.

After his exit from the Stuttgart Open, Monfils will next compete in the Queen’s Club Championships. The prestigious grass tournament will feature players such as the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper, Lorenzo Musetti, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Holger Rune and other stars. The tournament recently renamed its center court to Andy Murray Arena in honor of the five-time champion.

Alex Michelsen loses his next round at Stuttgart Open to Justin Engel in straight sets

Seventh seed Alex Michelsen lost his next round match at the Stuttgart Open to wildcard Justin Engel in straight sets. Engel joined a select group on Tuesday when he overcame Great Britain’s James Duckworth in his opening round at the Stuttgart Open. 

Justin Engel BOSS Open Stuttgart Open 2025
Justin Engel (image via Instagram/ Justin Engel)

At 17 years and 8 months, the German became the second-youngest player since 1990 to register a tour-level match win (excluding Davis Cup) on all three surfaces: hard, clay, and grass. Only Rafael Nadal accomplished the feat at a younger age, doing so at 17 years, two months.

Engel, who commenced the week at a career-high World No. 281, claimed his first tour-level win last October in Almaty (hard), before claiming his second win last month in Hamburg (clay) and his third on Tuesday on grass.

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