The Frenchman made his comeback after three months of absence. Bad news as the US Open approaches.
Gaël Monfils, injured in the right foot, had to give up on Thursday in the round of 16 of the Masters 1000 in Montreal, when he was led 6-2, 0-2 by the Briton Jack Draper (82nd)
The Frenchman, 20th in the world, made his return to the courts in Canada, after three months of absence due to a right heel injury. It was on a trivial support that he seemed struck down in this area of the foot, then collapsing to the ground.
Lying down for a few seconds, he was picked up by Draper and the umpire from his chair, who helped him to sit on a folding chair brought to the court, before finally returning to his chair. He buried his face in his polo shirt and then did not hide his pain, when the physio intervened to try to relieve him.
In vain: the 35-year-old Parisian, limping back heavily on the court to try to resume the game, first advanced towards his camp in the stands. And after a short discussion, he decided not to continue the game.
His return to competition this week had been encouraging, since he had successively beaten the Spaniard Pedro Martinez (53rd) in three sets, then the American of French origin Maxime Cressy (31st) after a tight fight 7 -6 (12/10), 7-6 (8/6).
This injury, if it constitutes a relapse, would be a big blow for Monfils, just over two weeks before the US Open, a tournament he cherishes and which he has made his goal for the second half of the season. Friday morning, the “Monf'” was pessimistic about his health.
After the match, Draper had a few words for Monfils: “I know what it’s like to screw up. It happened to me last year and I bounced back. I hope Gael is well. I wish him the best for the rest of the season“. The Briton, who surprised the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (5th) the day before, will be opposed in the quarterfinals to the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta (23rd).
