SUMMARY
- Gael Monfils suffered an unexpected defeat to in the first round at the ATP 250 in Montpellier, raising questions about his current form.
- Social media backlash followed Monfils' loss, with fans expressing issues about his ability to compete at the top level.
In a surprising turn of events at the ATP 250 tournament, the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, Gael Monfils, the charismatic French tennis veteran, faced an unexpected loss on home soil, succumbing to the 21-year-old Italian Flavio Cobolli in the singles round of 32. Despite the fervent support of the home crowd, Monfils found himself on the receiving end of a 6-7(8) 6-3 6-0 defeat.
The 37-year-old Monfils, known for his flamboyant style and memorable performances, thus suffered a heartbreaking loss in front of his loyal home crowd. Currently ranked no. 70 in the world, Monfils boasts a storied career with 12 titles over two decades. Yet, this recent defeat raises questions about his ability to compete at the highest level.
It prompted significant fan backlash and raised doubts about the veteran’s future in the sport. Fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with one even acknowledging Monfils’s resilience, albeit in a sarcastic manner, stating, “So hype watching Gaël Monfils battling hard…Just straight grinding through a marathon first set but with no panic in his game.”
So hype watching Gaël Monfils battling hard with a kid 15ish years his junior on home soil, but looking like the most chill human in the south of France in the process. Just straight grinding through a marathon first set, but with no panic in his game. #ATPMontpellier 🎾 pic.twitter.com/eJ1djnO9dZ
— Luke Wells (@LukeWells57) January 31, 2024
Another fan expressed a more critical view, claiming, “Cobolli choked in the first set. Monfils is closer to being retired than he’s from winning a match vs a top 20 player,” highlighting the challenges Monfils would face against top-tier opponents in the twilight of his career.
Cobolli choked in the first set. Monfils is closer to being retired than he’s from winning a match vs a top 20 player.
— R. A (@IAmTheMoncho) January 31, 2024
The fans’ reactions have ignited discussions about the veteran’s future in professional tennis. Cobolli’s victory against Monfils not only adds a significant chapter to his emerging career but also places Monfils at a crossroads, with fans scrutinizing the veteran’s current standing on the professional tour.
Gael Monfils reflects on his twilight days in tennis
In the lead-up to his ninth appearance at the ATP 250 in Montpellier, France, French tennis icon Gael Monfils addressed the media, hinting at the proximity of his retirement. The former world no. 6 acknowledged that, at the age of 37, he doesn’t have many tournaments left in his illustrious career.
Expressing a sense of nostalgia and awareness about his impending retirement, Monfils shared, “I know I will not have 10 new presences in Montpellier, so I want to make the most of it.” Gael Monfils mentioned that he has family and friends from the area who plan to attend his matches, contributing to his positive feelings about playing in the tournament.
While revealing the joy of playing in front of his home crowd, he was conscious of the limited number of tournaments left at his disposal before the culmination of his career. He admitted, “What I like the most is playing for the public, and I am aware that I do not have many tournaments.”
Despite training well, Gael Monfils also talked about a lack of confidence, which made his current state rather complicated. His first-round loss to Flavio Cobolli at his home ATP 250 tournament in Montpellier revealed that sentiment.
