Gael Monfils played his final Roland Garros match last night, losing in a characteristically dramatic fashion.
Few expected a deep run from the Frenchman, but having been drawn against his countryman Hugo Gaston in the first round, there was a chance of success for the legendary veteran.
However, when he fell into a two-sets-to-love deficit, he instead seemed poised to exit the French Open with a whimper.
Despite losing the match regardless, he fought back to level the scores at two sets apiece before his 39-year-old body crashed, and he lost the deciding set 6-0.
Gael Monfils has played his final match at Roland Garros… but what will you remember most about this great showman? 🪄
Many rushed to herald Gael Monfils afterwards, seeking to celebrate what has been a remarkable career. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic led the tributes.
However, they were far from the only tennis superstars enlisted to pay tribute to Monfils after his final match at Roland Garros.
What Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer said about Gael Monfils
In fact, plenty of the sport’s greatest from the last 20 years emerged, including the likes of Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer.
However, it was Rafael Nadal who first flashed up on screen, claiming: “Gael, I just want to congratulate you for this amazing career that you had.
“It has been a pleasure to share all those years. I remember the 1st time I saw you when we were very small kids, and we made it. We had a very long and successful career.
“So many congratulations for everything. And I hope to keep seeing you around. Many congrats and all the best in your future life.”
Djokovic was next up, adding: “My friend, an incredible career.
“One of the most likeable guys, fun guys out there; there’s no one that doesn’t like you, Gael. I think that’s your biggest victory.
“Honestly, I know you. We go back to when we were 13 or 14 when we faced each other for the first time. You’ve always been a guy that gives you a smile, says hello. Every single time, respects everyone. That’s why the legacy that you’ve built, not just as a tennis player, but as a person, will stay forever.”
Federer praised Monfils and recalled the fond memories sharing the changing rooms and the courts together, whilst Wawrinka congratulated him on his achievements and thanked him for entertaining fans for decades.
Then, Alcaraz added: “Gael, thank you for everything for me. You’re a true inspiration, a great athlete, but the most important thing, a great person off the court.”
The Spaniard could not be more correct, with Naomi Osaka comparing Monfils to Serena and Venus Williams before the tournament had even begun.
Jim Courier states what he’ll miss most about Gael Monfils
After the match, on TNT Sports’ live broadcast, there was a justifiable eulogy for Monfils.
This marked his last-ever appearance at his home Grand Slam, and the site where he enjoyed his best-ever run at a major.
Who will you miss the most of these retiring legends? 😢
Asked what he will miss most about this great showman, Jim Courier struggled to pick just one thing.
In the end, he settled on that showmanship, stating: “I think it’s just the reaction of the crowd off of what he is capable of doing on the court.
“We saw so many points like this, through the course of his career, where the spectacle of Gael was just amazing, and then the energy that the crowd would bring to it, they just fed off of each other. I’ll miss that.”
