Gaël Monfils has become a crowd favorite thanks to his spectacular playing style.
French tennis star Gaël Monfils will retire after the 2026 season. The former top 10 player, who has become a crowd favorite thanks to his spectacular playing style, announced this on Instagram on Wednesday.
“Next year will be my last as a professional tennis player,” wrote the 39-year-old. “Although this sport means everything to me, I am completely at peace with my decision,” Monfils added.
Injuries repeatedly slowed him down
The exceptional Paris-born athlete was part of a promising French generation that included Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, and Gilles Simon, who, despite their great talent, failed to win a Grand Slam title. Monfils reached the semifinals at the 2008 French Open and the 2016 US Open. He was ranked sixth in the world in 2016. Monfils is married to Ukrainian top player Elina Svitolina. They have a daughter together. He has won 13 titles on the ATP Tour, the most recent of which was in Auckland in January 2025. Due to injuries, Monfils has missed 13 Grand Slam tournaments in his career, affecting his right knee, right shoulder, right foot, and left wrist.
