Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gael Monfils will be taking part in the 2023 Lyon Open in order to fine-tune things for Roland Garros the week after.
It's been a difficult season for both of these players, certainly below the level many of them have expected it. Monfils has been out with injuries for a long time and since his return, he only won one match. It was a win due to the retirement of the other player but Monfils won the first set so he was likely going to win that match anyway.
1-6 is the overall score since he returned and getting a chance to play another match in Lyon was too good for him to pass. He needs matches to finetune things as this might be his last Roland Garros ever. He's up there in age and with injuries being a huge part of his career, there is no guarantee he'll be fit by the time the next one comes around.
Felix Auger-Aliassime hasn't had that much success either, certainly not on clay where he played only two matches this year. Both were losses and he didn't inspire much faith in his level either. After last year's great showing at Roland Garros, many expected great things from him however that hasn't been the case.
Perhaps a return to Lyon will be good for him as he played in the Lyon Open final a few years ago. It was a losing effort but a few matches wouldn't hurt him as he looks to get acclimated to clay ahead of Roland Garros.
Two matches is not an ideal preparation even if he considers the red dirt his favourite surface. They join a solid entry list consisting of last year's champion Cameron Norrie alongside Tommy Paul, Jack Draper, and more.
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