Gael Monfils targeting Paris Olympics as he battles to enter top 100 in ATP rankings

Monfils has struggled for form and is playing just his second tour-level match on the clay at the Lyon Open.

Gael Monfils targeting Paris Olympics as he battles to enter top 100 in ATP rankings

Gael Monfils (Image via Sporting News)

One of the toughest challenges in sports is to come back from an injury. The toll the injury has on your body can have no limits. It can derail you immensely. One needs to be very strong to fight through that. The reason why sports lovers don’t see many successful comebacks is just that. Not everyone is that strong mentally.

French player Gael Monfils in his press conference at the Lyon Open talked about his plan to come back from injury. The Frenchman hasn’t had the ideal practice for the Roland Garros, where he will be a local. He has struggled for form and is playing just his second tour-level match on the clay at the Lyon Open. He previously played Srpska Open, where he lost in the first round.

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Monfils also played the Challenger tour, but nothing worked as failures followed him there as well. However, there are a few local tournaments and big ones that are coming his way. Two French Open, Two Paris Masters, and Olympics in Paris too. He would love to draw energy from his home crowd as stages his much-awaited comeback.

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“I’m going to take short-term goals first, win a few matches, gain confidence, and then I’ll decide the rest. But if you’re a top athlete, you’re bound to have unattainable goals. Mine? It’s the Olympics. I know it’s an unattainable goal, but it has to be,” said the Frenchman when asked about his plans.

From his answer, it’s clear that it’s the prestigious national event he is targeting. He does think it’s a little too much to think about. However, he also believes that an athlete should go for the big shot. Firstly, Monfils would like to get into the top 100 and slowly get back to being seeded. That will give him the best chance of having a deep run at any event.

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Gael Monfils: the Champion we know

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Gael Monfils (Image via USOpen.org)

Gael Monfils wasn’t always like this. Injuries were a part of his career however, the Frenchman always fought them and appeared stronger than ever. He has gone up to No. 6 in the world rankings in 2016. Monfils also made it to the Semifinals of the French Open in 2008. He reached the same stage at the 2016 US Open as well. Monfils with his guile and court knowledge would outsmart opponents.

Another crucial component was his agility and fitness. At times, one would feel he is flying on the court. An entertainer for the ages, Monfils has also made it to three Masters 1000 finals. Two at the Paris Masters and one in Monte Carlo. Can Monfils relive all of this again? The comeback is nothing short of a miracle. However, one should never rule it out. Baffling things have happened in the history of sports.

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