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New Delhi: French tennis star and former world number six Gael Monfils has announced that he will retire from tennis at the end of the 2026 season. In a post on social media on Wednesday, the 39-year-old tennis player said that the year ahead would be last as a professional tennis player as the veteran said that he is happy with his decision.
Monfils was renowned for his spectacular style of play and athleticism after he began playing professional tennis 21 years back. Starting back at 18, Monfils went onto become one of the best tennis players France ever produced. In January this year, Monfils became the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title, achieving the momentous feat in Auckland, New Zealand.
He claimed his 13th tour title 20 years after his first at the age of 38 years and 132, surpassing the record held by Swiss ace Roger Federer who achieved it when he was 38 years and 74 days old. He had clinched the Swiss Indoor at Basel in 2019. Monfils, who is currently ranked 53rd, married Ukrainian player Elena Svitolina in 2021 and the couple have a daughter together.
'The year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player. I held a racket in my hands for the first time at two and a half, and began playing professionally at 18,' Monfils wrote.
'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 as peace with my decision. While I came close, I never did win a Grand Slam during my career. I won't pretend that expect to do so during the next year,' Monfils added.
Monfils has bagged 13 titles with his best results being at the Grand Slam tournaments two semifinals, at the 2008 French Open and 2016 U.S. Open.
