It is evident that it has not been the return dreamed of by Gael Monfils, but it was the one that could be expected seeing how difficult it is to return to the professional circuit after so long. The 36-year-old Frenchman dazzled at the start of last season with a title at the ATP 250 from Adelaide 1 and reaching the quarterfinals in the Open the Australia, where he fell in five sleeves to Matteo Berrettini. These results led him to comment that he still felt like playing and that he saw himself with the ability to have another chance at the ‘majors’, the dream of any tennis player.
A year later, everything is different in Monfils’ life. Father of a girl and married to Elina Svitolina, who is also trying to return to the circuit, the Frenchman’s priorities are different and it is difficult to imagine that he will return to the elite, although he does not seem to be in an excessive hurry either, since his main objective is to be able to arrive in good shape at the Paris 2024 Olympic Gameswhere the racket will presumably hang.
The one who became number 6 in the world and who is currently ranked 210 in the ATP ranking, returned to the competition in Indian Wells after postponing it several times. That game, against Jordan Thompson, made it clear that he still had a long way to go, although his next game invites hope. After Indian Wells, Monfils received an invitation to the Challenger in Phoenix where he also lost in the first round, this time against Alexander Shevchenko, but the feelings were very different and allow us to see the glass half full. That match was fairly even and also showed the competitive character of the Frenchman, who overcame a 4-0 down in the second set to force the third set, which could have fallen from either side.
It should be noted that in that clash his serve began to feel good and his mobility was better than in his reappearance, however, the rest was where he lacked a plus to be able to take the duel and advance in the Challenger tournament, a circuit that once once again it has been seen how tough it is in Phoenix, where some of the favorites have fallen at the first opportunity. In addition, it is likely that if the Frenchman really wants to give himself one last chance, he will need these events to improve his ranking and recover good feelings, since it would not be the first time that a player has been seen using his protected ranking at large ATP tournaments. where any rival that arrives with more filming has everything to win.
MONFILS ALREADY KNOWS WHAT IT IS TO RETURN
In any case, the fact of returning after a long period of inactivity is not something new for Monfils, which increases the hope of being able to see him again with options in the big tournaments, since he is undoubtedly one of those players who fills courts and makes fans enjoy with his charisma and his surprising punches. In 2018, the one from Paris was already in a similar situation and it didn’t take long for him to take shape, as he reappeared with a title in Doha after five months without competing and then signed a good clay-court tour of South America to later end up falling injured in Indian Wells and having to stop another two months.
On the other hand, here it cost him a little more, but Monfils was humble and after another withdrawal at the US Open, he went down to the Challenger circuit to regain confidence, something he achieved by taking a title in Taipei. After this very difficult year, 2019 meant the Frenchman’s return to the top 20 and he was once again a player to be taken into account by all. It is clear that the years go by and five can be many, but the proof of his capacity is there and currently there are few players with his elasticity, ability to subtract or with his way of putting the public in his pocket, which is always a problem. plus.
It is still early to know if the French player will have one last dance among the best since being a father can completely change his objectives, something that has been hinted at, but the first step to reappear has already been taken and the improvement between one game and another is notable, so you should never stop having a tennis player who has always been there when least expected.
