EssentiallySports – At 38, veteran ATP star Gaël Monfils has made a painful decision, announcing he will likely retire in the coming years following a disappointing exit at the Toronto warm-up for the US Open. The Frenchman, known for his electrifying style and captivating presence on the court, is stepping away from the sport after years of battling the pressures of a demanding career.
Monfils, who expressed his personal dream of being “old and with a lot of kids and healthy,” had been preparing for the US Open in Toronto. Despite a strong showing, battling back from a first-set loss, he ultimately fell to Chilean qualifier Tomás Barrios in a tense match, losing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3).
The loss, compounded by information shared by journalist Max Gao on X, cemented the heartbreaking reality. Gao reported that Monfils confirmed this match would be his last in Toronto, signaling an impending retirement. The crowd, having long appreciated Monfils’ showmanship, offered a final farewell.
The signs of a changing landscape had been present after a previous first-round exit at the Citi Open. The final moment on Centre Court – tracing his hand along the court surface and offering a final wave – powerfully conveyed a sense of closure.
(More to come…)
Keywords: Gaël Monfils, ATP, Tennis, US Open, Retirement, Toronto, Tennis News, EssentiallySports