Tennis

Gael Monfils, the beloved French tennis star, has regrettably withdrawn from the Rolex Paris Masters, a tournament that holds a special place in his heart. This year's edition marks the final time the event will be held at the iconic Bercy Arena before moving to La Defense Arena in Nanterre next year.Monfils' absence is a significant blow, given his deep connection to the tournament. He has graced the Bercy courts for two decades, making his debut as a qualifier in 2002. Over the years, he has experienced both triumph and heartbreak at the venue, reaching two consecutive finals in 2009 and 2010.In a heartfelt Instagram post, Monfils expressed his gratitude for the memories he has made at Bercy. "Between me and Bercy, it's a special story," he wrote. "I grew up there, dreamed in the stands, made two finals, beat Federer for the first time, and felt an insane energy with the audience."Monfils' withdrawal from the tournament was due to an illness that forced him to pull out of the Vienna Open earlier this month. The opportunity to compete in Paris was reallocated to his compatriot Arthur Rinderknech, who advanced to the second round on Monday.Despite his absence, Monfils' legacy at Bercy will endure. He has been a fan favorite throughout his career, known for his electrifying style of play and infectious enthusiasm. His two finals appearances, along with his memorable victory over Roger Federer in 2009, have cemented his status as a legend of the tournament.As the Rolex Paris Masters draws to a close, Monfils' absence will be felt by both fans and players alike. However, his spirit will undoubtedly remain present in the hearts of those who have witnessed his brilliance at Bercy over the years.

Gael Monfils, the flamboyant Frenchman, has been a fan favorite for two decades on the ATP Tour. His unique playing style and infectious enthusiasm have made him a crowd-pleaser. This weekend, he graces the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) in Frankfurt, Germany, a revolutionary league featuring 40-minute matches, live coaching, and mid-match interviews.Monfils relishes the UTS format, which aligns with his personality. "It's a balance between show, competition, and experience," he says. "I love the creativity and freedom it allows."UTS Frankfurt boasts a star-studded lineup, including Ben Shelton, Jan-Lennard Struff, Denis Shapovalov, and Dominic Thiem, who is making his final professional appearance in Germany before retiring. Monfils holds Thiem in high regard, praising his versatility and Grand Slam triumph at the 2020 US Open."We're going to miss him," Monfils says. "He brings a different energy."Monfils' retirement is not on the horizon yet, but he acknowledges the recent departures of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray. "I feel lucky to still be playing," he says. "I've been blessed with fewer injuries."Off the court, Monfils is a devoted husband to Elina Svitolina and a doting father to their two-year-old daughter, Skai. Fatherhood has transformed his perspective. "She's my priority number one," he says. "It's changed my view and made me less selfish."Monfils plans to play a few exhibitions after UTS before spending the off-season with his family. Next season will be pivotal for him, but he's not thinking about retirement just yet. "I'm ready to play it and see what life gives me," he says.

The US Open's second round promises an exciting clash between Taylor Fritz and Matteo Berrettini. Fritz, the seeded player, faces Berrettini, who has reached the semifinals or better at three of the four majors.Fritz acknowledges the challenge ahead, predicting a match dominated by serves and holds. Despite Berrettini's impressive Slam record, Fritz holds a perfect 3-0 head-to-head advantage, all on hard courts.Berrettini's recent form has been inconsistent, with injuries and a lack of deep Slam runs. However, his three clay-court titles this year demonstrate his potential.Fritz's consistency and head-to-head edge make him the slight favorite.Another intriguing matchup features Casper Ruud and Gael Monfils. Both players rely heavily on topspin, but they employ it differently. Ruud's powerful forehand generates heavy shots, while Monfils varies his shot-making, keeping opponents guessing.Their previous encounters have been close, with each player winning once. Monfils' serve and spin variety could pose a threat, but Ruud's steadiness and the best-of-five format favor him.Coco Gauff's title defense has begun with a promising win. Despite a recent slump, Gauff expressed confidence in her practice form. Her first-round victory showcased her restored order and precision.Tatjana Maria, Gauff's second-round opponent, is a veteran with an unorthodox style. Her slice and one-handed backhand can disrupt opponents. However, Gauff's power and form should prove too much for Maria.

Carlos Alcaraz, the prodigious tennis star, uncharacteristically displayed frustration during his match against Gael Monfils at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion, known for his composure, repeatedly smashed his racket after failing to convert a break point.This outburst occurred as Alcaraz faced an early-round exit after losing the second set and falling behind in the third. Monfils ultimately secured an upset victory with a scoreline of 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.The match sparked reactions from other players and commentators. While some lauded Alcaraz's passion and determination to win, others highlighted the perceived double standards in media reactions to similar outbursts from different players.Corentin Moutet and Nick Kyrgios pointed out that players like themselves are often criticized more harshly for similar actions, suggesting bias in reporting such incidents."When I do it, I've got 'mental issue,'" Moutet said. "I don't judge Carlos here, of course. He is a legend already, and he behaves amazingly. I'm making fun of how the reaction of the commentator can be different on the same gesture.""Haha what about when I do it? Hahahahahaah," Kyrgios replied.The match was initially interrupted by rain, leaving the players to resume their contest the following day. When play resumed, Alcaraz, ranked No. 3 in the ATP rankings, struggled to regain his composure.Alcaraz later described this match as the worst of his career, expressing deep disappointment in his performance."I think it was the worst match I've played in my career. I couldn't play, honestly. I felt like it was another sport playing on the center court than the other courts," he said. "I think it is impossible to get any good things about this match. I've been practicing really well here in this tournament. The previous days, I was feeling great, hitting the ball clear, moving well. I don't know what happened. I don't know how I felt like this, but I couldn't control myself. I couldn't be better. So this match, it was impossible to win."Despite the disappointing loss, Alcaraz is now looking ahead to the U.S. Open, which begins on August 26, as an opportunity for redemption."I felt sometimes that I wanted to break the racquet. It never happened before, because I could control myself in those situations, in those feelings," Alcaraz said. "Most of the time I could control myself and it could go better in the matches or in the situation that I've been feeling before. Today, I couldn't control myself, because, as I said, I was feeling that I was not playing any kind of tennis. I think some players, a lot of players, during their careers and during some certain moments, they can't control themselves. And it was one of the moments for me."

Gaël Monfils, the 37-year-old French veteran, pulled off a stunning upset at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, defeating world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling three-set encounter. Monfils, who had never beaten Alcaraz in two previous attempts, displayed his trademark athleticism and shot-making prowess to secure a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-X victory.The match, which was suspended due to rain on Thursday evening, resumed on Friday afternoon with Monfils leading 3-1 in the second-set tiebreaker. The Frenchman maintained his advantage, converting his third set point to level the match.In the deciding set, Monfils broke Alcaraz's serve in the fifth game and held on to his lead despite the Spaniard's spirited attempts to rally. Alcaraz, who had won the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles earlier this year, showed signs of frustration as the match slipped away from him.Monfils' victory marks his first Top 3 win since 2022 and his first quarterfinal appearance at the Cincinnati Open since 2011. The Frenchman, who has been struggling for form since Wimbledon, will now face No. 15 Holger Rune in the next round.Monfils' performance was a testament to his enduring talent and resilience. Despite being the underdog, he played with confidence and determination, forcing Alcaraz to make uncharacteristic errors. The victory will give Monfils a much-needed boost as he looks to regain his place among the world's elite players.

Gael Monfils' impressive victory over Alexei Popyrin in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters has set the stage for a highly anticipated second-round clash against world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.Monfils, a 37-year-old Frenchman, showcased his experience and court craft in a 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Popyrin, who was visibly fatigued after his recent triumph at the Montreal Masters. Monfils praised the conditions in Cincinnati, noting that the faster court suits his aging body.However, Monfils acknowledged the formidable challenge that awaits him in Alcaraz, who hasn't played a hard-court match since March. Despite this, Monfils believes that Alcaraz's "complete" game can thrive on any surface."He's a complete athlete, in terms of speed, endurance, power," Monfils said. "And then his tennis, of course, is quite complete, too. Backhand, forehand, it's quite hard to see where you can (hit). He improved a lot on the return, he's serving big. He's just a really complete player."Monfils compared Alcaraz to the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, stating that he sees him as a future legend. The Frenchman also expressed his admiration for the younger generation of stars, including Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner."For me, it's always cool to play such a big star like Carlos or Jannik—or of course, in my day it was Novak, Rafa, Roger," Monfils said. "But to play those youngsters, it's always a pleasure."Monfils and Alcaraz will face off on Thursday in their second meeting of the year. Alcaraz holds a 2-0 head-to-head advantage, having defeated Monfils in the third round of the Miami Open earlier this year.

Rohan Bopanna, India's veteran doubles specialist, bid farewell to his illustrious international career with a first-round exit at the Paris Olympics. Partnering with N Sriram Balaji, Bopanna succumbed to the French duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils in a thrilling encounter.Despite the disappointing result, Bopanna expressed contentment with his 22-year-long journey representing India. He acknowledged that an Olympic medal had eluded Indian tennis since Leander Paes' historic bronze in 1996, but he remained proud of his contributions."This will definitely go down as my last event for the country," Bopanna declared, ruling out any participation in the 2026 Asian Games. He had previously announced his retirement from the Davis Cup.Reflecting on his career highlights, Bopanna singled out his fifth-rubber victory against Ricardo Mello in the 2010 Davis Cup tie against Brazil as his most memorable moment. He also cherished his Grand Slam doubles triumph and his rise to world No. 1.Bopanna expressed gratitude to his wife, Supriya, for her unwavering support throughout his journey. He hinted at a potential future involvement in the administration of the All India Tennis Association (AITA).Regarding Sunday's match, Bopanna acknowledged the impact of Monfils' presence on the court. "He told me it was the best doubles match he's played," Bopanna said. "He was hitting the ball extremely heavy."Despite the loss, Bopanna praised Balaji's performance, noting that he played "extremely well" despite some crucial lapses.The Indian duo faced a passionate crowd supporting the French players, but Bopanna commended their respectful behavior during the match. "I don't think I've played in this kind of atmosphere even in Davis Cup in India," he remarked.

In the twilight of their illustrious careers, Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka engaged in an inspiring display of tennis artistry at Wimbledon's Court 2. The match, suspended the previous night, resumed with Monfils leading 2-0 and Wawrinka poised to serve at 5-all in the third set.Monfils seized the momentum, capturing 11 of the final 14 points to secure a 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3) victory. The match, which lasted over two hours, showcased the enduring passion and skill of these veteran athletes.At 37 and 39 years old, respectively, Monfils and Wawrinka have witnessed the evolution of tennis over the past two decades. Monfils, once hailed as a potential successor to the "Four Musketeers," has carved out a unique path marked by dazzling shot-making and a captivating personality. Wawrinka, overshadowed by the brilliance of Roger Federer, has emerged as a Grand Slam champion with a relentless work ethic and a formidable backhand.Despite their contrasting journeys, Monfils and Wawrinka share a deep appreciation for the sport. "I love the competition. I love the sport. I love the game... it's a feeling that you can't have anywhere else," Monfils said.Their match at Wimbledon was a testament to the enduring power of tennis as a vehicle for self-expression and inspiration. It reminded us that even in the twilight of their careers, athletes can continue to inspire and entertain with their passion and artistry.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round of the French Open on Thursday, extending his remarkable streak of reaching the last 32 at Roland Garros to 19 consecutive years. The 37-year-old Serbian maestro dispatched Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2, in a dominant display that showcased his unwavering class.Djokovic, who is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, will next face either Frenchman Gael Monfils or Italian 30th seed Lorenzo Musetti. The Serb holds an unblemished 19-0 record against Monfils and has defeated Musetti four times in five meetings. However, Musetti gave Djokovic a significant scare at the 2021 French Open, winning the first two sets before retiring injured in the decider.Despite dropping his opening service game against the 63rd-ranked Carballes Baena, Djokovic quickly regained control of the match. From 4-4 in the first set, he reeled off 14 of the last 17 games, overwhelming his opponent with an impressive array of 43 winners.Djokovic's victory was a testament to his enduring dominance on clay. He has now won 86 matches at Roland Garros, second only to Rafael Nadal's 105. The Serb is also aiming to become the first man in the Open Era to win all four Grand Slams twice.