“This fire is still there” – Monfils targeting top 15 ranking
37-year-old Gael Monfils shares that he’s still eager to play tennis, and wants to improve his ranking even further this year
Credit: Tennis Majors
Forget Novak Djokovic. Gael Monfils is the true defier of time on the ATP Tour.
The Frenchman is well over 37 years of age, and yet just played a brilliant match to send world No 52 Dusan Lajovic home in the first round of the Miami Open on Thursday evening. It’s not just the fact that Monfils is continuing to win – he picked up his 12th ATP title just last October in Stockholm – but the way he’s winning.
Monfils is arguably more athletic than ever, chasing down ball after ball and ripping out some of the most incredible shots you’ll ever see on the tennis court. After his performance on Thursday, the Frenchman has revealed that he’s motivated to keep playing, and wants to see his ranking return to a top 15 level this year.
Fire still burning as Monfils targets improved ranking
“I’m still playing for these moments, these challenges,” said Monfils. “I feel like these last couple months, my body let me improve a little bit and to be better. I feel like this fire is still there. I’m still enjoying on this court, I try to enjoy as much as I can.
“I feel like my game starts to be a bit stronger. I feel like my daily level is increasing. My movement is better, I’m going more for my shots. Everybody around me tells me I’m still young, so I can push. Honestly, I trust them. I see myself moving quite fast on the court, and I’m happy with that.
“Why not try to play the big tournament and the big events? Slowly, I want to improve my ranking, to be able to be seeded and have less matches. Maybe also not clash with big players early on. So that’s a little step.”
Of his outrageous shot-making, the 37-year-old says it’s pure instinct, and is never planned.
“It’s impossible to plan, it’s just natural,” Monfils explained after his victory over Lajovic in Miami. “Sometimes I feel way more comfortable jumping or sliding or whatever. Even with the no look, sometimes people think the no look is even easier for me.”
Next up, Monfils will face big-hitting Jordan Thompson in the second round of the Miami Open. Blunt the Aussie’s power, and Monfils could well find himself in a match that would be sure to turn heads, with No 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz lurking as a possible third-round opponent.
