Gaël Monfils said goodbye to the Slams at the 2026 US Open
Due to retire at the end of the season, French veteran tennis star Gaël Monfils bid an emotional farewell to the Slams at the ongoing US Open in New York. He played his final Grand Slam match in the second round of the US Open, losing to American player Lerner Tien in straight sets (3-6, 4-6, 3-6). It was a fitting farewell as he first arrived at the Flushing Meadows as a junior in 2003, making his final appearance 23 years later.
The charismatic Frenchman has been known for his flamboyant tennis, agility, entertainment, trick shots and longevity in the sport. In a career spanning more than two decades, Monfils has won 13 tour level titles out of 35 final appearances. Although he didn’t win an ATP Singles Masters title, he reached three finals – the 2009 Paris Masters, 2010 Paris Masters and the 2016 Monte-Carlo Masters. The 40-year-old Frenchman is a two-time Davis Cup runner-up in 2010 and 2014. He reached a career-high ranking of World No. 6, breaking into the Top 10 in 2007. Monfils was also unlucky in the sense that he played in the ‘Big Three’ era and hence had very little opportunity to win a major title. His best performances at a Slam are two semi-final appearances – one at the 2008 French Open and the other at the 2016 US Open.
Some players are not just defined by titles or trophies but the amount of joy they bring to the game. Monfils or ‘La Monf’ is definitely one of those players. Even at the age of 40, he ran around the court like a madman, trying to chase every ball and producing incredible highlight reels. Every tennis player brings their own positive energy and personality to the courts and Monfils hasn’t just been a fun personality but also an incredible person whom everyone talked highly of on the ATP tour.
Most professional tennis players either go into coaching or broadcasting after they retire. However, surprisingly, Monfils has chosen the world of finance as his choice of employment post retiring from the sport. He has already signed up to work for a Swiss Wealth Management Company, swapping a racquet for spreadsheets. It’s an unusual choice of profession switch for a sportsperson and unheard of in tennis circles. His connection to tennis would definitely continue through his wife Elena Svitolina who is also a professional tennis player on the WTA tour.
Monfils had announced in October 2025 that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of 2026, calling it his Last Dance. As the eternal entertainer leaves the tennis courts, the entire tennis fandom will miss his tricks, his cheeky smile and above all the unbridled joy to his fans no matter what the result. Sports is a brutal world and while sportspersons are judged mainly by success or failure, there are a few exceptional characters like Monfils. La Monf will forever be remembered for the wonderful moments on the tennis courts with his infectious smile, his athleticism, his trickery and his charisma.
