After a string of setbacks in the form of injuries and poor performance, Monfils showed the world he still has some fight left in him by achieving a new career milestone.
Monfils: France’s all-time leader in hardcourt wins
Monfils has now achieved a total of 356 hardcourt victories, cementing his status as France’s all-time leader in hardcourt wins.
The Tennis Letter on X shared the exciting news, writing, “He passes Richard Gasquet (355) for the most hardcourt wins of any Frenchman in the Open Era. Another incredible achievement.”
Gael Monfils now has 356 hardcourt wins.
He passes Richard Gasquet (355) for the most hardcourt wins of any Frenchman in the Open Era.
Another incredible achievement.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 19, 2023
Stockholm Open Victory
It was in the 16th round of the Stockholm Open that Monfils finally reached this milestone.
He was up against Austrian player Filip Misolic. And Monfils, being back to his dominant best, served 11 aces and cruised to a straight set victory against the World No. 181 with 6-4, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals.
By defeating Misolic at the ATP 250, Monfils easily overcame the four Frenchmen with the most victories on hard courts throughout history, namely Richard Gasquet with 355, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga with 317, Gilles Simon with 301, and Fabrice Santoro with 246.
DID YOU KNOW❓
With his second round victory over Misolic in Stockholm today, 🇫🇷 @Gael_Monfils now has the *most* hardcourt wins of *any* Frenchman in the entire Open Era, surpassing countryman Richard Gasquet. 💥
356: Monfils ⬆️
355: Gasquet
317: Tsonga
301: Simon
246: Santoro— TENNIS (@Tennis) October 19, 2023
Monfils’ previous hardships
Monfils was nearing the summit of the ATP rankings, reaching as high as No. 6 in 2016, when losses and injuries interfered.
Monfils d. Misolic 6-4 6-3 in Stockholm
It doesn’t matter if he hasn’t played much tennis this year
It doesn’t matter if he’s coming off an injury
It doesn’t matter how old he gets
Gael will always be one of the most electric performers to pick up a tennis racquet.
🇫🇷❤️🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/LUnQH4bb4t
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 19, 2023
Monfils’ year in 2022 was full of ups and downs; he had an early exit in the Madrid Masters and had to have surgery on his heel, which meant he couldn’t play in the French Open or the whole grass-court season. He also had a foot injury while playing Jack Draper at the Canadian Open.
Sport can be so cruel 😔
Monfils is forced to retire after sustaining an injury in his 3rd round match vs Draper #OBN22 pic.twitter.com/f8kSunaXyK
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 12, 2022
During that time, Monfils was seen writhing in agony as he cried into his knee. Many people expressed their sympathy for the tennis aficionado at the moment for sustaining yet another injury after just coming back from a lengthy absence.
Monfils just went down on court in pain. Looked like he rolled his ankle or something.
Second pic he's sitting crying into his knee.
Sad if Monf has to withdraw. He was coming back in the match after losing the first, and he came back after a long layoff for this tournament. pic.twitter.com/V5P6FBXinR
— Omar A.R. (@omarcanuck) August 12, 2022
In May of 2023, his rankings dropped to as low as 394th. Fortunately, his performance during the hard court swing has enabled him to rise to 211th in the world rankings.
In one interview, Monfils said that his ranking meant little to him, saying, “The thing is, of course, a lot of people mind the ranking in the absolute. I feel like it’s different for me. It’s getting to the end of my career. Of course, 200, whatever I am. In the well-est year, I was 15. Doesn’t really matter my ranking. It’s more about if physically I’m able to play weeks after weeks,” as per tennisuptodate.
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