“Some people try to compare my wife and me,” Gael Monfils believes his critics don’t see him as disciplined athlete due to his showmanship on courts

Monfils said he finds such comments funny because he puts a lot of work behind the scenes. 

“Some people try to compare my wife and me,” Gael Monfils believes his critics don’t see him as disciplined athlete due to his showmanship on courts

Elina Svitolina, Gael Monfils (Image via Imago)

Gael Monfils is in the final years of his career and although his career has been marred by injuries, he has not given up. He has played almost every tournament this year and is set to play at the Lyon Open on May 21st.

During an interview with The Guardian, Monfils talked about people’s remarks on his work ethic. He believes that just because he enjoys himself on the court, many don’t see him as a disciplined athlete and compare him with his wife, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who, as per some, looks more professional.

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Some people try to compare my wife and me. My wife looks super-professional in a way and, I don’t look professional in a way. But that’s not really the case because I have a work ethic. I’m working. 
Gael Monfils said

Monfils said he finds such comments funny because he puts a lot of work behind the scenes. At the same time, such comments from his critics don’t hurt him. He advised people not to listen to other people’s advice all the time in order to succeed in life. 

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Gael Monfils found it difficult to find a new coach

Gael Monfils suffered from self-doubt when he was struggling with injuries, from which, getting up and finding form seemed tough. He credited Elina Svitolina for pushing him to keep holding the racket. Svitolina also inspired him by making one of her best comebacks after becoming a mother. 

Gael Monfils
Gael Monfils (Image via Imago)
Sometimes, I won’t lie, I was doubting a little bit. I’m getting a little bit old. I hurt myself. You need to do all this [work]. It’s not easy to come back here. Last year, I was home and trying to call people: ‘Hey, you want to work with me?'
Gael Monfils said 

Monfils thinks in spite of being 37, he still can play. However, as at this age athletes usually endure rough patches and suffer from injuries, Monfils tried to convince them that he still has it in him. Most of his critics call him lazy and this troubled him to find a new coach but he believes it’s a wrong perception of him.

The Frenchman started this year at the ASB Classic and his best came in the Qatar Open where he reached the semifinals. He last played in the Italian Open, where he got knocked out of the first round by Thiago Monteiro.

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