Andy Roddick has admitted that he did not always see eye-to-eye with Gael Monfils.
Monfils is one of the most popular players on the ATP Tour, with the entertaining 39-year-old retiring from tennis later this year.
The Frenchman has also just played his final Roland Garros match, with Monfils receiving messages from Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz after his first round loss in Paris.
As well as the many messages Monfils received following his Roland Garros farewell, Roddick has also admitted getting something wrong about him.
Andy Roddick admits having a fallout with Gael Monfils during his career
Roddick spoke about Monfils’ farewell in the latest edition of his Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
The 2003 US Open champion admitted that Monfils used to ‘frustrate’ him during his playing career, with Roddick even revealing that he once exchanged words with the Frenchman in the locker room.
Now after his Roland Garros farewell, Roddick has a very different view on Monfils and claims it doesn’t even matter that he has not won a Grand Slam title in his career.
Gael Monfils has played his final match at Roland Garros… but what will you remember most about this great showman? 🪄
“I have got to say, when I was playing I don’t think with certain people I could see the forest through the trees,” said Roddick.
“Monfils used to frustrate me to no end. He was a tough match-up and I did not like playing him, but also I was like you have all this ability and you want everyone to be as serious as Rafa [Nadal]. I was very serious but I was also miserable on court. I was a thief of joy to the experience of Gael Monfils and I think I was totally wrong.
“The emotion that people have about it being his last French Open and wanting to say goodbye. It’s not the same as [Stan] Wawrinka who went and took the big three out and it’s like you are a Stanimal! And it’s not like a Rafa when you are saying goodbye to a generation.
“But it’s simply the reaction, that people feel like they are losing a big slice of joy in tennis. And listen do I think Monfils was potentially the best raw athlete that has ever played tennis? Yeah, I think it’s a conversation.
“Does it matter that he didn’t win a Slam? That’s not the point with Gael. He is so watchable. Everyone loves him in the locker room. Everyone. I got into words with him and I’m an idiot, because I am the only person ever that might have had that experience. That is on me.
“I got into arguments with lots of people, so if you get into arguments with lots of people and half the tour doesn’t like you and then you have a person you have got into an argument with that everyone loves, guess whose fault it is!
“I just sat back and I was watching that match yesterday and I thought I wish I would have appreciated him in real time more when I was next to him as opposed to it taking the moment when he is saying goodbye [to realise].
“I have been holding this thing when I wanted him to be a top three player and wanted him to get into finals more often. But part of that want is because of the emotions that he stirs up.
“I thought what he said about [Elina] Svitolina was beautiful. No notes on Gael Monfils. I don’t want to say that I should not have felt what I felt about him. I just look back and with time I am going, he wasn’t put here to be that person like a Rafa. He was here to fill a different role. He was fantastic, everyone loves watching him and being around him. He is the steward of fun!
“He had an unbelievable career and I feel bad because I missed it. I was too consumed with what I wanted him to be and it got in the way of me seeing what he is and was.”
Give us your one wild prediction for Roland Garros!
Gael Monfils’ biggest career achievements
Although he has not won a Grand Slam title, Monfils has still achieved a lot of success throughout his career.
This includes Monfils achieving a career-high ranking of world number six and winning 13 ATP titles.
Monfils also reached the semifinals of two Grand Slam tournaments, doing so at Roland Garros in 2008 and the US Open in 2016.
| Gael Monfils’ Career Achievements | |
| Career-high ranking | No.6 |
| ATP Titles Won | 13 |
| Best Grand Slam Result | Semifinal (Roland Garros 2008 & US Open 2016) |
| Record against top 10 players | 38-99 |
There are now only two Grand Slam tournaments left for Monfils, who is unsure about his Wimbledon participation.
Monfils will require a wildcard if he wants to get into Wimbledon this year, as he will drop outside the top 250 after Roland Garros this year.
