ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
He is one of the most eye-catching players ever to pick up a racquet. Athletic, creative, effervescent – you cannot help but smile whatever Gael Monfils is doing. From chasing down the most hopeless of lost causes and turning it into a magical winner to messing about in between practice sessions, he is an entertainer from top to toe. But now, at the age of 39 and on his 19th visit to his home Grand Slam, Gael is saying goodbye.
Day 2 Under the lights: Monfils magic
Catch him while you can: this is the last year Gael Monfils will play at Roland-Garros
He leaves a happy man. Away from the courts, he is a devoted father and husband. On the court, he has no regrets. “My bucket list is full,” he said. “The only [regret] that I had, I think is 99.9 per cent, it was just to lift this [Roland-Garros] trophy, but the rest is I made everything. I think Roland-Garros gave me anything that I ever dream, wish, work for.
So I'm just like here; very grateful and very blessed with where I am.”
Read: Gael Monfils Q&A with Roland-Garros Magazine
Monfils leaves with 13 career titles, as a former world No.6 and as a former semi-finalist here and quarter-finalist at the Australian and US Opens. But the lasting memory for most of us will be his smile and that look of amazed delight when he pulls off another of those show-stopping winners.
Inspiring kids
It is a little too early for him to be considering his legacy; he is here to compete, after all. But he is aware – and proud – of his position as a world-class, black athlete inspiring young, black kids to follow in his footsteps.
“I know some young kids, they like my style, the way I play, the way I move,” he said. “For the black community also to see someone on the tour. I think it was important, and then I think of course maybe I inspired some black players to say that, yeah, they can make it, and then they can see from their own eyes. During this last year I can see a little bit more. I'm just very grateful for that.”
Tonight, Gael faces Hugo Gaston, a wild card entry from Toulouse. Hugo is ranked 100 places higher than his rival at No.118 and he is 14 years younger. Not that it matters. Whatever happens on Monday, it is all about Gael.