PARIS — Perennial crowd favourite and former world No. 6-ranked Gael Monfils introduced Wednesday that he’ll retire on the finish of the 2026 tennis season.
At 39, the French veteran famend for his spectacular fashion of play, combating spirit and memorable athleticism stated in a message posted on social media that he’s “tremendously at peace” along with his resolution after twenty years competing throughout what he referred to as “a golden age of tennis.”
“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 chance to show my ardour right into a occupation is a privilege I’ve cherished throughout each match and second of my 21-year profession.”
Monfils has received 13 titles. His finest outcomes at Grand Slam tournaments are two semifinals, on the 2008 French Open and 2016 U.S. Open.
“While I came close, I never did win a Grand Slam during my career. I won’t pretend that I expect to do so during the next year,” Monfils stated, including that he has no regrets.
“What I do have is the feeling that I have been lucky: insanely, stupidly lucky,” he said. “I’ve had the chance to play during a golden age of tennis, alongside some of the greatest names in the history of our sport: (Roger) Federer, (Rafael) Nadal, (Novak) Djokovic, (Andy) Murray.”
Following within the footsteps of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet, he’s the final member of a bunch of proficient French gamers dubbed “The Musketeers” to name it quits.
In January, Monfils turned the oldest participant to win an ATP Tour title, attaining the feat in Auckland, New Zealand to assert his thirteenth tour title 20 years after his first, on the age of 38 years, 132 days. He took over from Federer, who was 38 years, 74 days previous when he received the ultimate tour title of his profession, the Swiss Indoor title at Basel in 2019.
Monfils married Ukrainian participant Elena Svitolina in 2021 and the couple have a daughter collectively. Monfils is at the moment ranked 53rd.
“To every person who ever cheered or shouted ‘Allez, Gael!’ in real life or at a TV screen: your energy and love are truly everything to me,” Monfils stated.
Stefanos Tsitsipas paid tribute to Monfils by posting footage of a exceptional shot from considered one of their matches — a type of overhead winner struck from the baseline. “Gael Monfils’ hot shots were so spectacular, it was an honour to be on the receiving end of them,” he stated.
