Gael Monfils is set to make his long-awaited comeback at the 2023 Indian Wells on Wednesday after a continuous injury kept him out of the game for seven months.
In August 2022, Monfils played his last match for the season in the Canadian Open against Jack Draper. The French player retired during the third-round match with some pain in his foot, but the issue turned out to be a plantar fascia rupture.
Monfils was unaware that the injury would keep him off the court until early 2023. However, while the 36-year-old admitted in an interview with ATPTour.com that he missed his tennis whilst on the sidelines, he is excited to make his come back at the Indian Wells tournament.
“It’s been a long time. I won’t lie, I missed being on the Tour playing, competing, challenging myself. Now I just have the feeling [of love with the fans]. Actually Indian Wells is great because you have fans very close on the practice court. You can feel the energy,”
During his time out injured, Monfils had his first child with his wife Elina Svitolina and Indian Wells will be the 36-year-olds first competition away from his daughter.
After spending plenty of time with his newborn daughter in recent months, Monfils admitted that travelling away brings a different set of challenges. But he still feels positive heading into the Indian Wells tournament.
"I was with her since day one and now to get back on the road, it’s a different experience for me. I’ve been great. I’ve been blessed. So far she’s healthy and myself too, [I have] gotten back in shape and healthy. I have only positive vibes coming here.”
Monfils will face Australian Jordan Thompson in the first round at Indian Wells. In the 2022 tournament, Monfils reached the round of 16 before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
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