flag
back Voltar
Gael Monfils’ retirement plan takes surprising twist after US Open exit

Tennis fans were met with a surprise this week.

Frenchman Gael Monfils quietly called it a career with his appearance on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s Retired Players List, meaning he is no longer eligible to compete in professional tournaments unless he re-enters the ITIA’s testing pool for anti-doping regulations.

Monfils announced his retirement last year, planning to retire after the 2026 Paris Masters, giving him an opportunity to bid his home fans farewell. That tournament will take place from Oct. 31-Nov 8.

Gael Monfils reacts after defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in a first-round match at the US Open.
Gael Monfils of France reacts after defeating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay during a first-round match on Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.

It now appears the tennis world has seen the last of Monfils on the tour, with his second-round loss at the U.S. Open to American Learner Tien in early September being his last match.

Monfils received a wild card to compete in Lyon’s ATP 250 tournament, but his date of retirement is recorded as Oct. 5.

The Grand Prix Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes announced that Monfils pulled out of an exhibition with fellow Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet for personal reasons.

Gael Monfils plays a backhand return during a French Open match on clay.
In a May 25, 2026 file photo, France’s Gael Monfils plays a backhand return to France’s Hugo Gaston during their men’s singles match on day two of the French Open on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris.

Monfils, 38, will retire after an illustrious 22-year career with thirteen ATP titles and having reached a career-high ranking of world No. 6.

Fellow tennis player Daniil Medvedev was told of Monfils’s official retirement at a press conference in Shanghai.

“He had an incredible career, he’s one of the rare players about whom no one will say anything bad,” Medvedev reflected.

Monfils, who is married to fellow tennis star Elina Svitolina, previously said he plans to pursue a career in finance in his retirement, having already signed on to work in wealth management at a Swiss company.

You may like

Carlos Alcaraz signs up for new tournament just hours after £4.5m plans fell apart

Express 1 dia atrás

Sonay Kartal: Brit breaks new ground by upsetting Elina Svitolina to reach Wuhan Open semi-finals

heart.co.uk 1 dia atrás

Tennis star's sudden retirement weeks before planned farewell addressed by ITIA

Express 2 dias atrás

Staggering prize money won by lower ranked tennis players puts cash debate into perspective

tennis365.com 1 dia atrás

Sonay Kartal was left homeless mid-tournament as Brit upsets Wuhan Open big names

Express 1 hora atrás

Kartal wins again as impressive comeback continues

bbc.com 1 dia atrás

Daniil Medvedev left stunned after asking Novak Djokovic 'what are you talking about?'

Express 2 dias atrás

Aryna Sabalenka suffers second straight early exit as unseeded Ann Li stuns at wuhan open

motorcyclesports.net 22 horas atrás

Neil Robertson 'went berserk' at tournament officials after British Open situation

Express 23 horas atrás

Svitolina bests China's Guo to make Wuhan quarterfinals - video

english.nv.ua 1 dia atrás