Gael Monfils has declared he is “immensely proud” after he was unveiled as France’s new Davis Cup captain shortly following his retirement from tennis.

Last month, it was announced that Monfils had called time on his career when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) added the Frenchman to its ‘retired’ list and confirmed he had removed himself from the sport’s anti-doping protocols.

The French Tennis ‌Federation (FFT) announced on Saturday that Monfils had been appointed as the captain of France’s Davis Cup team.

In a statement, Monfils said: “I am immensely proud to become captain ​of the French team. This blue jersey means ​so much to me.

“I want to ⁠build ​a genuine team-based project and create ​the momentum that will enable us to win titles together.”

Monfils has replaced fellow retired ATP player Paul-Henri Mathieu as captain, and he will get his first taste of action in his new role when France’s 2027 Davis Cup qualifying campaign begins in February.

More Tennis News

Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for tennis coverage you can trust.

The former world No 6 amassed a 12-3 record in Davis Cup singles matches, and he was a member of the France squads that reached the final of the team competition in 2010 and 2014.

Monfils’ retirement came earlier than expected as he had previously revealed his plan was to bow out at the Paris Masters.

It has since emerged that Monfils’ quiet exit from the sport was a result of his separation from his wife Elina Svitolina.

While Monfils did not compete at the 2026 Paris Masters, he appeared at the tournament on Tuesday for an on-court farewell ceremony.

After the emotional ceremony, Monfils said: “Last night, at the Rolex, I experienced one of the most wonderful moments of my life on a tennis court.

“Today, I can still hear your voices in my head, and I’m still struggling to find the right words.

“I’ll be honest with you: I was scared to come. These last few weeks have been emotionally draining, and I didn’t dare come and see you all. Then I arrived, and it was a magical moment. You were extraordinary.

“I was a lad from Paris with a dream far too big for me. A lad who ran all over the place, who slipped and slid, who jumped about, who just wanted to play, have fun and bring joy to others. More than twenty years on, I think I’m still that lad. And you’ve been there every step of the way.”

The 40-year-old’s last-ever professional match was a second round loss to Learner Tien at the US Open in September.