“I don’t have many tournaments left,” Reality-check hits home as Gael Monfils strives to become the ultimate showman, giving the audience exactly what they want

Flavio Cobolli defeated Gael Monfils 6-7(10), 6-3, 6-0 in the first round of Open Sud de France.

“I don’t have many tournaments left,” Reality-check hits home as Gael Monfils strives to become the ultimate showman, giving the audience exactly what they want

Gael Monfils (Source: Roland-Garros)

Gael Monfils is in the twilight of his career at present. The Frenchman is 37 years old and has long passed the prime of his career and he is aware of that.

In a recent interview, the former World No. 6 thus said that his only goal now is to play as many tournaments as he can because he does not have many of them left and he loves to play for the public. 

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Monfils recently took part in the Open Sud de France but his performance there was not that great. In fact, the veteran lost his very first match of the tournament against Flavio Cobolli. Monfils won the first set but could not keep up the momentum and the 21-year-old made a sensational comeback by winning the last two sets of the match. Cobolli has already made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where he will now play Borna Coric. 

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What I like most is playing for the public and I am aware that I don't have many tournaments left.
Monfils said in a press conference before the start of the tournament.

Monfils is growing old now and his performance has understandably been on the decline for quite some time now. He won the Stockholm Open in 2023 and Adelaide 1 in 2022, and those were his only good performances in those years, respectively. However, being the classy player that he has always been, he shows his spark in some specific matches time and again, which entertains the fans a lot. 

Gael Monfils lauds women athletes who manage both motherhood and their careers 

Monfils started dating Elina Svitolina in 2019, and in 2021, the couple tied the knot. They gave birth to their girl child, Skai Monfils, in October 2022, and it forced Svitolina to take a long break from her career. However, she made a sensational comeback last year. Monfils recently praised his wife and all other women who manage motherhood and their careers simultaneously. 

Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina
Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina (Via Tennis Majors)
It’s part of life, you know. As I say always, we have a beautiful sport, but people forget that we are human beings. That’s our sport, our job… But we have a life. And in the life people have kids. It’s beautiful to see some woman athletes actually manage both. I think it’s great. 
Monfils said via AO press

Gael Monfils and Elina Svitolina are likely to take part in the Doha Open next before heading on to the Indian Wells and the Miami Open. 

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