“We are going to see the magic of Paris again” – Monfils cautiously optimistic about his chances at Rolex Paris Masters
Gael Monfils is looking forward to rekindling some Parisian magic this week at the Rolex Paris Masters, while remaining reasonable after a difficult season
© EMMA WALLSKOG/Bildbyran/Sipa USA/SIPA
Last week, Gael Monfils achieved the remarkable feat of reaching an ATP Tour final every year since 2005. The Frenchman even went one better, winning the Stockholm Open by defeating Pavel Kotov for his 12th career title.
Having had a disjointed season courtesy of injuries, the 37-year-old has struck an excellent patch of form in recent months, made even more impressive by his age and family commitments outside of tennis.
When asked how he sees his chances heading into the Rolex Paris Masters this week, Monfils is realistic, with a healthy side of optimism as well:
“Here, I am arriving a bit at the end of the cycle. I am a little tired,” the world No 79 began. “We are going to see the magic of Paris again, but we are still going to remain reasonable.”
“I tell myself that every time in Paris, there is always something more, there is always a little extra magic, something that boosts me, that helps me transcend myself. I hope to have it again.”
What next for Monfils after strong 2023?
At the start of 2023, it seemed as though the Monfils that fans have come to know and love was a thing of the past. His comeback from injury was interrupted by another injury, meaning that the former world No 6 played only a handful of matches in the first half of 2023, winning even fewer.
However, Monfils has defied the odds and stretched his season record to 15-11, after being 2-9 at the start of August. When asked what this means for next year, the Frenchman was coy with his answer:
“I want to digest this year which has been difficult on all fronts. I don’t yet want to plan for 2024. Once again, sacrifices are hard. What I’m going to decide alone, I’ll have to assume first. I know that it will be necessarily a sacrifice if I want to set high goals for myself, for my level. I don’t want to think about it now, because it already hurts me”
“I think that with Elina, we don’t have the answer right away. It’s rule number one when we’re parents. So, lots of questions. How, all three of us manage to find the right dynamic without one, one for her, being a little neglected. Right now, I don’t have the answer and I don’t want to think about it now, because it’s a bit of a headache.”
Monfils believes he can shine in 2024, but family is the priority
Given Monfils priority on family, the reality is that old age or injury are likely to be the least of his worries moving forward. If anything is going to take the Frenchman off the ATP Tour, it’s more likely to be a decision to support his wife Elina and their young daughter Skai.
Having made deep runs at the Masters events in Cincinnati and Toronto this year, however, Monfils still holds on to some hope that he’ll have one last hurrah.
“Next year I will have a good chance of shining again. If everything continues well, we will say that I might have opportunities again to try to shine in Masters 1000.”
