Gael Monfils will embark on one final season on the ATP Tour in 2026, and his first tournament has been announced.
Monfils announced his retirement from tennis and the French icon is expected to hang up his racket at the Paris Masters in 2026.
The Frenchman has been a stalwart of the ATP Tour for over two decades and he’s often recognised as one of the best-ever players not to win a Grand Slam.
The star will put his body through one more gruelling season as he bids farewell to fans across the globe throughout 2026.
The Frenchman’s first tournament of 2026 has been confirmed – and it is one Monfils is yet to win.
Gael Monfils is set for the Rio Open in 2026
Monfils has been confirmed as one of the latest names for the Rio Open, which is set to take place in February 2026.
The Frenchman has joined Lorenzo Musetti, Matteo Berrettini and Joao Fonseca at one of the biggest tournaments Brazil has to offer.
Monfils has not played the tournament for seven years, with his last appearance coming at the 2018 edition.
The icon reached the quarter-finals of the competition in 2018 and saw his run ended by eventual winner Diego Schwartzman.
Monfils’ appearance at the Rio Open in 2018 was his sole time at the tournament, but he will return in 2026.
How many ATP tournaments has Gael Monfils won?
Monfils adding another trophy to his collection during his swansong year would mark a dream farewell for the Frenchman.
The World No. 48 has captured 13 ATP Tour trophies throughout his illustrious career, including several 500 events.
The star’s most recent win came at the Auckland Open at the beginning of 2025, which saw him defeat Zizou Bergs in the final.
That triumph ended a 15-month drought without a title, dating back to his Stockholm Open victory in 2023.
