French tennis nice Gael Monfils will take his remaining bow on the finish of subsequent 12 months.
The fan favourite and former sixth-ranked participant on the planet plans to retire after the 2026 season, he introduced Wednesday in a heartfelt assertion posted on social media.
On the heels of his thirty ninth birthday, Monfils declared it was the “right time” to stroll away and he was “tremendously at peace with my decision.”
Gael Monfils returns the ball to Roman Safiullin throughout their males’s singles first spherical tennis match on day three of the US Open tennis event on the USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Middle in New York Metropolis, on August 26, 2025. AFP by way of Getty Photos
He thanked his household and buddies, colleagues and coaches, together with everybody who cheered his title alongside the best way.
“I held a racket in my hands for the first time at two and a half, and began playing professionally at 18,” Monfils wrote. “The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career. Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision.”
He walks off the court docket with 13 championships to his title, competing towards among the most prolific names within the sport.
Monfils captured his newest title in January on the age of 38 years and 132 days previous, eclipsing Roger Federer because the oldest participant to win an ATP Tour title.
The victory got here 20 years after he received his first.
French tennis star Gael Monfils was a perennial fan-favorite all through his 20+ 12 months profession. AFP by way of Getty Photos
He might by no means have received an elusive Grand Slam title throughout his profession, however Monfils isn’t involved with what he “could have” or “should have” finished. He’s strolling away with out regrets.
“As those who know me can attest, I’ve never thought this way, and frankly I’m far too old to start doing this now,” he wrote. “Life is simply too quick. Imagine me once I say that I’ve no regrets.
“What I do have is the feeling that I have been lucky,” he added, “insanely, stupidly, lucky.”
Monfils is the ultimate member of the French “Musketeers” to name it a profession, becoming a member of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet in retirement.
Gael Monfils in August 2025. MediaPunch / BACKGRID
Whereas profitable yet one more title could be a storybook ending, Monfils enters the victory lap of his legendary profession with just one true objective in thoughts.
“To enjoy every minute, and to play each match like it’s my last,” he wrote.
