The Flying Frenchman thrilled crowds for two decades with acrobatics, charisma and pure joy. As he heads for retirement in 2026, the sport loses a rare entertainerThe curtain call has come for another beloved tennis star: the veteran French player Gaël Monfils will retire at the end of the 2026 season, his 22nd year on the men’s tour. In a social media post announcing the news on Wednesday, Monfils struck an upbeat tone, thanking family and fans while doffing a cap at the range of opponents he was privileged to face during the game’s “golden age”; prominent among his mentions were Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic – the only one in that group who is still playing. And while history is likely to remember the 39-year-old Monfils – whose résumé includes nearly 600 match victories, a career-best No 6 singles ranking and more than $24m in on-court earnings – as one of the more unfortunate victims of the Big Four epoch, he makes a compelling counterargument for style over stats.Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic may have all the titles. But while they were stifling three generations’ worth of tennis muscle, Monfils emerged as the era’s most dazzling performer. For years US tennis commentators groused about the home federation not doing enough to steer the country’s best young athlete away from other stick-and-ball sports and make American tennis great again. But it’s obvious now that the player they were constructing in their minds was Monfils: a 6ft4in skein of fast-twitch sinews, with the devil’s own forehand tacked on for good measure. In his own social media post, the estimable coach Patrick Mouratoglou framed his compatriot’s retirement as a mighty blow to the sport. “Tennis needs players like him,” he wrote. “They are so rare.” An athletic prodigy since elementary school, Monfils underscored his special talent after claiming victories in France’s under-13 and under-14 100m championships. His athletics coach at the time thought he could make an Olympics sprint final on that potential alone. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/04/gael-monfils-final-bow-tennis-showman-retirement">Continue reading...</a>

أعلن غايل مونفيس، المعروف بأسلوبه الكهربائي وكاريزميته، اعتزاله التنس المحترف في نهاية موسم 2026، مما يمثل نهاية حقبة للمشجعين والرياضة. لقد أسرت مزيجه الفريد من الألعاب البهلوانية والفرح الجماهير على مدار عقدين، مما جعله فنانًا بارزًا في الجولة. بينما يستعد لمبارياته الأخيرة، يعبر مونفيس عن امتنانه لعائلته ومؤيديه، مشددًا على التأثير الذي أحدثه في التنس والفرح الذي جلبه للعبة.

Gaël Monfils, conocido por su estilo electrizante y carisma, ha anunciado su retiro del tenis profesional al final de la temporada 2026, marcando el fin de una era para los aficionados y el deporte. Su combinación única de acrobacias y alegría ha cautivado al público durante dos décadas, convirtiéndolo en un destacado entertainer en el circuito. Mientras se prepara para sus últimos partidos, Monfils expresa su gratitud a su familia y seguidores, destacando el impacto que ha tenido en el tenis y la alegría que trajo al juego.

Gaël Monfils, connu pour son style électrisant et son charisme, a annoncé sa retraite du tennis professionnel à la fin de la saison 2026, marquant la fin d'une époque pour les fans et le sport. Son mélange unique d'acrobaties et de joie a captivé le public pendant deux décennies, faisant de lui un artiste exceptionnel sur le circuit. Alors qu'il se prépare pour ses derniers matchs, Monfils exprime sa gratitude envers sa famille et ses supporters, soulignant l'impact qu'il a eu sur le tennis et la joie qu'il a apportée au jeu.

Gaël Monfils, known for his electrifying style and charisma, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season, marking the end of an era for fans and the sport. His unique blend of acrobatics and joy has captivated audiences for two decades, making him a standout entertainer on the tour. As he prepares for his final matches, Monfils expresses gratitude to his family and supporters, highlighting the impact he has had on tennis and the joy he brought to the game.

Gaël Monfils, tennis’s great showman, prepares for his final bow

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