The last dance… For several seasons, the golden era of tennis from the years 2000-2010 has continued to end to the rhythm of the retirement waltz. This time, it is the turn of Gaël Monfils, 39 years old and former No. 6 at the ATP, and Stan Wawrinka, 41 years old in two months and late No. 3, to bow out.
Prepare the tissues. After more than two decades of running the world’s courts, the electrifying elastic man and the elegant yet brutal one-handed backhander will put away their rackets in the fall. The farewell tour of the Grand Slams begins this week at the Australian Open.
“I really believe that I squeezed the lemon until the last drop,” summarizes with humor the Swiss, opposed in the first round this Monday to the Serbian Laslo Djere, in the Guardian. What does it matter about injuries, the lack of results, the Covid era, the physical decline, the arrival of a small Skaï in 2022 for the Frenchman or a ranking now in three figures. Their love of the game has always led them to push back the fateful deadline.
However, the Parisian could have stopped a long time ago. “The pandemic really hurt me, especially as a person more than a sportsman,” he explained to us in 2024. But my wife managed to find the words for me to hold on to what I love, the simple things. I like playing, exercising, training without calculation, tournaments…”
So much so that world No. 12 Elina Svitolina, Ms. Monfils, could never really imagine her anywhere other than bringing the crowds to their feet and feeding off the energy of the audience. “I love watching him play, the show he puts on. It’s great for tennis to have someone like him, she told us in 2025. I don’t know how I will react the day it stops. It will be both a happy and sad moment for everyone. Not just for me, but really everyone. »
“It’s unique to have a relationship as long and as good as ours”
Monfils and Wawrinka, linked by a true friendship and geographical proximity in Switzerland, left their mark on their discipline. In their own way. The first by his magic, his charisma or his defensive moves from elsewhere. The second being the one who accomplished the unthinkable feat of winning three Grand Slams (Australia 2014, Paris 2015 with checkered shorts passed down to posterity and New York 2016) during the domination of the Big Four.
“It’s an incredible feeling. We started together, we will probably end together, said La Monf prophetically two years ago. It’s a legend. I think I’m a good player, but he’s a legend, so for me to be alongside him on the court is a privilege. It’s unique to have a relationship as long and as good as ours. So I’m more than happy to be able to enjoy the end of my career with him. »
The response did not take long to come. “When I see what Gaël has done all these years and when I see what he is still doing, for me, he is a champion,” breathed Stan The Man. Being a champion isn’t just about winning a Grand Slam. His career is also exceptional and we still see it, he is a dream on the circuit. »
For their final meetings before their second life, the duettists do not want to make up the numbers. Before arriving in Melbourne, where he received an invitation, Wawrinka offered himself four strong matches in three sets (including a victory against Arthur Rinderknech) at the United Cup.
“I am happy to play this season while remaining competitive and efficient. I didn’t want to stop suddenly because of an injury or unforeseen events, which can always happen at this level, he notes. I still feel the passion for this sport and I am totally focused. I’m competitive and I still want to win matches. »
Monfils will face local qualifier Dane Sweeny and is coming off a defeat in the first round of the Auckland tournament, where he was the defending champion. With a bulky Maori spear as a souvenir but a body that hisses a little and more measured ambitions. “The goal is to try to have fun. I want to play well. And for me, playing well still remains when I’m having fun, he says. If you play big matches, have fun, be able to respond in the most beautiful way. »
