PARIS – Tennis veteran Gael Monfils played his final match at the French Open on Monday, falling to fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in a five-set first-round encounter that ended 6-2 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-0. The 39-year-old received an emotional send-off from fans who celebrated his two decades of entertaining tennis at Roland Garros.
The match came just hours after veteran player Stan Wawrinka also concluded his French Open career. Monfils battled through the contest on Court Philippe Chatrier, giving supporters the extended match they hoped to witness despite struggling to reach his peak performance level.
Following a video tribute highlighting his memorable moments and special bond with Paris crowds, Monfils addressed the audience with heartfelt remarks.
“Here we are, I love you all so much. I’ll try to be quick and to the point,” Monfils told the crowd after watching the tribute presentation.
The emotional farewell included gratitude to his family members, including his parents and wife, fellow professional player Elina Svitolina, along with his coaching team and the French Tennis Federation. He then turned his attention to the fans who supported him throughout his career.
“I’d like to thank you all,” he continued. “Every year I come to play at the French Open, I get goosebumps. Every time, I say to myself ‘this is magical’. I’ve created something powerful, unique, exceptional.”
“I’m going to miss you. This tournament is fabulous, it’s magical. Roland Garros, I love you, I owe you everything.”
The match itself provided drama as Monfils, who plans to retire when this season concludes, dropped the opening set before attempting a comeback in the second. Though fans erupted when he showed signs of mounting a challenge, Gaston quickly regained control to take a two-set advantage.
Spectators hoping for a dramatic finish got their wish as Monfils secured a crucial break to lead 5-3 and claim the third set. He then dominated the fourth set to force a deciding fifth set, but Gaston composed himself to win the final set without dropping a game.
Gaston expressed mixed emotions after defeating his countryman in such a significant moment.
“There are a lot of emotions,” Gaston reflected. “There is joy but mostly sadness, I’m so sorry for you, Gael. I want to congratulate you, thank you for all you have done for us, the young players, and for your incredible career.”
“You’re a French legend, a legend of our sport.”
The ceremony continued with video messages from tennis stars including Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Wawrinka, bringing smiles to Monfils’ face as his Roland Garros career officially came to an end.
