ROLAND GARROS

May 23, 2026

Gael Monfils

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. What was your reaction when you read the piece that Elina wrote, the letter for your daughter in the Players' Tribune? Just wondering what you made of it.

GAEL MONFILS: So the truth is that that day, she read it to me late at night when I come back from the event, and we were both very emotional, in a way. I didn't know, and I was, yeah, very touched, very touched.

It was funny that it was one of the first time, I mean, I could see also her to open up a little bit on that. For me, was, yeah, it took me very deep.

Q. Naomi Osaka was in here a couple hours ago. She calls you the GOAT, and said she invited you to a dinner recently. She talked about what an influence you have been to her as a young Black player when she was younger. Do you ever reflect on the influence you've had on players in general but also on young Black players?

GAEL MONFILS: She's the GOAT. She's the GOAT (smiling).

Of course, now that I'm finishing, I think I will see a bit more. You know, I think when you're in it, it's tough to look a little bit around how much influence that you have. When I hear that, I'm very grateful, you know, if I inspired some players.

Of course I know some young kids, they like my style, the way I play, the way I move, for the Black community also to see someone also, you know, on the tour. I think it was important, and then I think of course maybe I inspired some Black players to say that, yeah, they can make it, and then they can see from their own eyes.

So of course I will, I think, see it a little bit later, you know, and during this last year I can see a little bit more. I'm just very grateful for that.

Q. With this tournament in particular, is there any checklist in your mind of things you want to do at this tournament, whether hit on a certain court, take a photo somewhere, take your daughter somewhere, anything like that that you'd like to share?

GAEL MONFILS: You know, my bucket list is full (smiling). The only thing that I had, I think is 99.9%, it was just to lift this trophy, but the rest is I made everything. You know, I think Roland Garros gave me anything that I ever dream, wish, work for.

So, you know, I'm just like here, you know, very grateful and very blessed with where I am.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. It is your last tournament here at the French Open. Everyone knows that. How have you been preparing? Did you go to the countryside, somewhere quiet? How do you prepare ahead of these last tournaments?

GAEL MONFILS: It's been quite relaxed, actually, because a lot has been happening from a personal standpoint at the same time. So it was quite a relaxed preparation to try and be as fit as possible, because I had been a bit down of late, so trying to get fitter.

But let me be clear, my main focus was on trying to hit the ball better, so I haven't done anything differently as such, but I was quite relaxed.

Q. How would you describe those six months between the time when you announced that you would retire and now, Roland Garros? You haven't been able to be on the U.S. tour, but you have had great victories in Monte-Carlo, some disappointments in Australia. How would you sum up the last six months?

GAEL MONFILS: Quite well, actually. Since I have been able to voice my desire to retire from tennis, and it was important to me, I have been feeling well.

As I was saying, late last year, and it might be a terrible thing to say, but no matter what happens, I feel immensely lucky to be able to say good-bye, to hit the balls with all the players, and to be able to compete on a few games with all those young players. So all in all, it's been a positive experience.

Of course, I'm a competitor, which is why I try to push myself in some of the games, but I'm really enjoying myself, and I feel lucky that I'm able to be on tour one last season with great players. So I feel very lucky.

Q. Unless you make it to the final, your best French Open was a semifinal in 2008 with Roger. It was a close one. Do you remember this game? My question is, was it the year when you felt the strongest in Roland, or were there other years, other seasons when it comes to your draw and how you felt you could have gone further?

GAEL MONFILS: I don't remember the game that well. The semifinal, four sets, I know that. I actually have a good memory, but I don't exactly remember how I felt.

But I know for a fact that I felt better in 2009, and I lose to him in the quarters. I was playing great tennis. I was feeling great. I think it's Federer's year where Nadal lost, so I was feeling great in 2009.

After that, I was feeling great in 2016. I was playing really well, but I was not able to play. I was quite confident ahead of the tournament, but I was not able to play.

COVID year, the year was off to a good start. I was in great shape, and the fact that we didn't get an actual tournament, so to say, well, let's say that every result has a value, even of itself.

Q. I have a question about Stan who said once that if he were to travel to Vegas, he would do it with you, Benoit Paire, and Frances Tiafoe. Nice team?

GAEL MONFILS: Yes, very nice team.

Q. Anything you'd like to say about your relationship, not in the locker rooms, not on court, but outside of the court, the relationship that you have in Switzerland? I saw you in the stands in Geneva. Who is Stan for you?

GAEL MONFILS: Stan is an actual friend. He's a mate of mine, and tennis comes second. He's someone who I spend great time with outside the courts. I have known him for many years.

But I deeply admire the player he is, as well. He's Stan the Man, and everything he's able to do is absolutely exceptional. He has a legendary career. He's a legend. You know him as well as I do. He's a witty guy, very generous guy. He's very open to others, and he's a reliable guy, as well. And this is outside tennis, to be clear.

He's an actual friend of mine. He's someone who will always pick up his phone if I need help, support, and he will do everything that he can, so this is highly valuable.

Q. Have you given any thought as to what you will include in your farewell speech, what you want to say?

GAEL MONFILS: I'm not a planner, actually, so it will be a spur of the moment, probably, my inspiration when the time comes, and I think it's the best option.

Q. You're one of those who were the pillars of French tennis for a long time. Before leaving it to others, are you happy? Did you think you would have created more momentum? How is the situation, in your opinion?

GAEL MONFILS: We have great players, good players at a very high level, but it is also a matter of standpoint when it comes to what you can consider top level, the way they feel, so on and so forth.

But in my opinion, we have great players and quite a good number of them that are pushing. The competition level is high, so we have good players.