Monfils disqualified from UTS after an “injury” caused to the supervisor

Further details have emerged about La Monf’s disqualification

Gael Monfils at UTS Oslo (UTS)

February 10, 2024

Gael Monfils was disqualified from UTS Oslo due to “a playful exchange” leading to a “minor injury” to the tournament supervisor, it has been announced.

La Monf’s absence was revealed prior to Friday’s last match in which he was due to play Benoit “The Rebel” Paire.

And a statement from UTS on Saturday read: “Yesterday a playful exchange in the locker room between Gael Monfils and the tournament supervisor Stephane Apostolou resulted in a minor injury to the supervisor.

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“UTS is 100% satisfied that there was no malice intended from Gael but because there was an injury sustained by an official, however minor, we felt there was no alternative but to disqualify Gael.

“Gael accepted the disqualification and he and the supervisor parted on friendly terms.”

La Monf, who was replaced in the draw by Lucas “The French Flair” Pouille, later made his own statement about the incident on social media.

“I want to tell everyone what happened at UTS in Oslo,” he posted on Twitter. “As per the release from UTS directly, there was no malice or negativity on my part. No abuse, no violence.

“However, whilst joking around in the locker room, Stephane was unfortunately hurt. It was never my intention to hurt or cause harm and thankfully Stephane knows that. People who know me, know this is not in my nature. Stephane and I have shook hands and move on.

“The disqualification makes this look like there was an issue or altercation backstage but really there wasn’t, this was an accident and nothing more.”