Gael Monfils is not the youngest player anymore, and injury issues are piling up for the fan favorite, as he was forced to announce he will miss this year's Roland Garros.
Throughout his career, the Frenchman has had some of his best moments at his home Slam, where he is always the main man, spicing things up for the crowd and taking up the responsibility of entertaining.
He has previously reached the semi-finals there, and he has enjoyed several other deep runs at the tournament. It is not only the Grand Slam in his capital where Monfils has played well over the years, but he also turns up when it matters at events like the Paris Masters.
Fast-forward to this season, and the ever-aging star has had to endure several injury setbacks. The latest one happened at the Monte-Carlo Masters, and he has been struggling with heel pain due to a calcaneal spur ever since.
This has ultimately led to him being left with no choice but to take the tough decision to withdraw from this year's Roland Garros.
"Hi all, I regret to inform you that I am forced to withdraw from Open Parc de Lyon and the French Open next week. I have been bothered by a calcaneal spur since Monte-Carlo at my right heel which prevents me from moving properly on court."
"I have decided to undergo a small procedure this week to treat the issue before returning to competitive play. I will keep you updated about my progress when I have more news."
Said procedure is set to keep him out of the tournaments in Lyon this week and Roland Garros, which is the worst news Monfils could have received at this point.
All clouds come with a silver lining, however, and for the Frenchman, that lining is that he will soon be kept busy with father duties as he and partner Elina Svitolina are set to become parents in the coming months.