“Papa Bear,” Coco Gauff’s father shares a heartwarming moment with Gaël Monfils
Gaël Monfils and Corey Gauff, father of Coco Gauff, met during a practice session on the sidelines of Indian Wells Open 2023.
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Gael Monfils and father of Coco Gauff, Corey Gauff
The French tennis player Gaël Monfils is making his much awaited return to tennis courts in the 2023 season by participating in the Indian Wells Open. This is also the first time he will be seen playing in an ATP 1000 tournament after becoming a proud father. He got married to former World No.3 Elina Svitolina in 2021. The couple was blessed with their first child Skaï Monfils in 2022.
Coco Gauff‘s father Corey Gauff came up to the French player as he stopped to sign a few autographs on the sidelines of the Indian Wells Open tournament. He congratulated the 36-year old for becoming a parent. All this was captured in a video.
American sports broadcaster Tennis TV shared this video on social media.
“Papa Gauff congratulates @Gael_Monfils on becoming a Papa Bear,” the caption read.
Gaël Monfils last played in the Canadian Open 2022. Here, he reached the third round but had to retire midway after losing first set against Jack Draper.
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Gaël Monfils is returning after a hiatus in this tournament
The 36-year old is very happy to be back on the tennis courts. He is returning after an injury-prone 2022 season. He is currently ranked as World No. 210 and using his protected ranking to enter into this tournament.
Gaël Monfils also got a chance to relive past memories and meet his contemporaries and friends along the sidelines of the Indian Wells Open 2023. The Frenchman met Andy Murray during a practice session. He ran-up to him as the Briton was doing his warm-ups.
“I want to run towards you because you’re doing your running,” he had said.
Both the players chatted for a while and relived their memories before embarking on their respective practice sessions. Both the players had their last meeting in the quarter-final round of the French Open 2014. Andy Murray won this five-set marathon match 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 1-6, 6-0.
Gaël Monfils reached the third round of the Indian Wells Open 2022. He had defeated Filip Krajinovic and Daniil Medvedev in the first two rounds respectively. However, he could not pass the challenge of Carlos Alcaraz and was knocked out of the tournament.
The French player will started his campaign in this ATP 1000 event this year by playing against Jordan Thompson of Australia. However, if he goes past him then he has to face Australian Open 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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Abhar Indorkar
(451 Articles Published)