Another era will come to and end in 2026 when Gael Monfils retires from professional tennis.
Monfils is one of the fan favorites. He is loved by the fans everywhere he goes, and there are a few good reasons for that. His tennis is incredibly exciting, as he chases every ball and often produces magical shots that no one thought were possible before.
Additionally, he is a person who never stops smiling. Despite countless injury setbacks that have held him back during his tennis career, the Frenchman has never stopped smiling.
Now, at 39, he is the oldest player in the Top 100 of the ATP Rankings. He can't compete as much as he would like to, as an injury setback always appears and halts his progress. As a 39-year-old, Monfils faced questions about why he keeps competing, and he always responded that it was because of his love for the game.
But despite that love for tennis, no one can keep playing until they are 50, and that applies even to such an incredible athlete as Gael Monfils. That's why he announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season.
"I held a racket in my hands for the first time at two and a half, and began playing professionally at 18. Now, after celebrating my 39th birthday just a month ago, I'd like to share that the year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player."
"The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career. Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision to retire at the end of the 2026 tennis season."
Although Monfils will certainly have many ceremonies that will celebrate his incredible career, during which he rose to the world No. 6 rank in the ATP Rankings and played in two Grand Slam semi-finals, he wanted to mention those who helped him succeed in his statement.
"Mostly, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I'd like to express it to so many people: To my wife, Elina, my love, inspiration, and strength - and an exceptional player in her own right. To my daughter, Skaï, for the profound love, meaning, and joy she has added to my days. To my brother Daryl and my sisters Roddie and Maélie, for lifting me up during tough times and helping me celebrate the good ones."
"To my best friends and loved ones, whose faces in the stands have always given me courage when it counted the most. To my longtime agent Nicolas, whose support and friendship helped me reach the highest highs and ride out the lowest lows."
"To my coaches and team members over the years, who believed in a lanky kid from Paris and who have helped nurture my talent in ways I could never have imagined. To every person who ever cheered or shouted "Allez, Gaël!" in real life or at a TV screen: your energy and love are truly everything to me."
"To the French Tennis Federation for their unwavering support since Day One. To Jo-Wilfried Tonga, Gilles Simon, and Richard Gasquet, my three musketeers and best friends for life. And most of all, to my parents: because all of this would have been impossible - unthinkable, even - without them. Papa, maman, look how far we've come."
Monfils also looked back on his tennis career. Some could say he underachieved, but he competed during the greatest era in tennis history, often facing the likes of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. Despite losing tens of times to the Big Three, he enjoyed sharing the court with them every single time.
"While I came close, I never did win a Grand Slam during my career. I won't pretend that I expect to do so during the next year. 'You could have, you should have...' As those who know me can attest, l've never thought this way, and frankly I'm far too old to start doing so now. Life is too short. Believe me when I say that I have no regrets."
"What I do have is the feeling that I have been lucky: insanely, stupidly lucky. I've had the chance to play during a golden age of tennis, alongside some of the greatest names in the history of our sport: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray. Even losing feels epic when you're facing a legend (though I have to admit that the occasional wins were pretty euphoric, too)."
Monfils will want to play as many tournaments as possible in 2026, but the question is how many will his body allow him to play. Still, he doesn't have any expectations. Although he would want to win one more title, his main goal is clear and simple: he just wants to enjoy his time out there.
"Besides "Lamonf," I've been called "The Showman" over the course of my career, but I want you to know that it was never just a show put on for the crowd. What you see is joy, pure joy, spilling over. My passion and enjoyment on the court are real, and their energy electrifies me at each and every match."
"I think what the audience experiences as a "show" is its current passing through all of them, and back into my playing. A complete circuit of thrill and delight."
"When you love something so much, it never feels like a good time to say goodbye. But 40 will be the right time for me. Of course, winning one more title before I'm done would be truly incredible. Truthfully though, my only real goal for the year ahead is simple: To enjoy every minute, and to play each match like it's my last."
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