Gael Monfils, a longtime fan favourite on the ATP Tour, is back at Roland Garros for his 18th main draw appearance. Known for his charisma, athleticism, and fighting spirit, the Frenchman continues to inspire crowds with his energy and passion for tennis.
In an interview with ATPTour.com, Monfils opened up about the highlights and hardships of his career, as well as the players who shaped his journey.
On his biggest rival
Monfils said he doesn’t consider any one player his greatest rival. “To have a rival, you need to beat him, and I never beat Novak Djokovic,” he explained. “So I wouldn’t call him my rival, just someone I couldn’t defeat.”
Instead, he considers his French peers as his real rivals. “Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Gilles Simon—those were my true rivals. Richard’s game was amazing, especially his shot selection, backhand, and touch at the net. He had pure talent.”
On his favourite tennis rivalries
Monfils pointed to the famous “Big Four” rivalries—between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray—as his favourites to watch. “It wasn’t just one rivalry,” he said. “Seeing all of them play against each other was incredible.”
On his toughest challenge
Monfils revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic was the hardest period of his career. “That year was really tough. The atmosphere was different, and it changed the way we competed. It was a hard time.”
On his greatest success
“For me, the biggest success was making it as a professional tennis player,” he said simply.
On his favourite tournaments
Without hesitation, Monfils named Roland Garros and the Paris Masters (Paris-Bercy) as his favourites. “They’re both in Paris, and they mean a lot to me. I have all my family there. That makes it really special.”
On a unique career moment
Monfils recalled a special match from 2004, when he faced World No. 2 Lleyton Hewitt at the Paris Masters. “It was only my second night session, and my first time playing someone ranked that high,” he said. “Even though I lost, the experience was unforgettable. The crowd, the atmosphere—everything was new, and I loved it.”
On his childhood dream
Monfils also looked back at a childhood interview. “There’s a video of me when I was 11, saying I wanted to be in the Top 10. That was my dream,” he said. “And I did it. That was the biggest goal I chased—and I achieved it.”
Related topics:
