Tennis icon bids farewell to Monte-Carlo Masters – Sports News
Gael Monfils issued an emotional farewell to the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters after falling out of the event one final time.
On Tuesday, Monfils — who introduced final October that he’ll retire from skilled tennis on the finish of the 2026 marketing campaign — suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Alexander Bublik within the second spherical. The Frenchman obtained a wildcard to compete within the ATP Masters 1000 event earlier than keeping off Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(7-9), 6-1, 6-4 within the opening spherical.
Over a adorned 22-year skilled profession, Monfils has made no scarcity of memorable moments in Monaco. The 39-year-old made his Monte-Carlo Masters debut in 2005 as a wild card towards Rafael Nadal, later defeating Roger Federer on his method to the 2015 semi-finals.
Reflecting on his 13 appearances within the Principality, Monfils informed the group following Tuesday’s loss: “I came here for the first time in 2005. It’s a magnificent tournament, if not one of the most beautiful tournaments in the world. I was kindly invited [as a wild card]. It was an honour and a privilege to play in 2005, and what an opponent I had first… I immediately got to taste the best of the best.
“I think I played some of my best tennis [here]. Some great victories. I managed to beat Roger [in 2015]. They were really special moments and here I am again today trying to give you a good match. The years go by and the legs become heavier, but the love from the crowd is unique. Every time I really stepped on this court, it was beautiful.”
According to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Monfils boasts a 16-13 event document on the Monte-Carlo Masters. The former World No. 6 superior so far as the ultimate in 2016, the place he fell to Nadal 7–5, 5–7, 6–0.
Once the mud had lastly settled on his time competing in Monte Carlo, Monfils issued a heartfelt tribute to the event on social media. “Monte Carlo. One last time,” he started. “I’m not going to pretend this is just another tournament, because it never was.
“Monte Carlo is a magnificent tournament. The sea, the courts, the air, the atmosphere… there’s something unique here, something that hits differently. I’ve lived moments here that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. Wins that made me feel alive, losses that made me stronger, crowds that lifted me up. This tournament gave me so much, and I owe it so much in return.”
Despite dropping to Griekspoor, Monfils insisted that he nonetheless relished the chance to grace the court docket in Monaco one closing time. “Today I lost, and that’s ok,” he continued. “What matters is that I got to step onto this court one last time, give everything I had, and feel all of it one more time.
“It was a beautiful moment, truly. Thank you to the organization for having me one last time. Thank you to the crowd for all these years of love and support. Thank you to Monaco for everything this city has given me. This was my last dance here, and I lived it to the fullest.”
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