Ignacio Buse Reveals Canceled Exhibition Match With Gael Monfils in Lima
Peruvian tennis player Ignacio Buse disclosed that he and veteran French star Gael Monfils planned to play an exhibition match in Lima last December, but organizational problems ultimately scrapped the project, Infobae reported. Buse revealed the previously unknown plans during an interview with ESPN Tenis, noting that the event would have brought two different generations of the tennis circuit to the Peruvian capital.
Machu Picchu Plans and Training Sessions in New York
The proposed visit extended beyond the tennis court. Buse stated that Monfils was eager to travel to Peru and had expressed strong interest in visiting Machu Picchu alongside the exhibition schedule. The relationship between the two players deepened earlier during the US Open in New York, where they practiced together while the discussions about the South American trip were already underway.
Gael Monfils Closes a Two-Decade Professional Career
The canceled Lima match comes as Monfils wraps up a professional career spanning more than 20 years. The French player turned 40 on September 1, 2026, building a reputation for athletic power, speed, and inventive shot-making that drew widespread fan support. His retirement became official on October 5, 2026, according to confirmation from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). That retirement cutoff prevented him from competing in his final planned events, including the Paris Masters. His final professional appearance took place in the second round of the US Open, where he was defeated by American player Learner Tien. This retirement also brought a close to the era of the so-called French musketeers,
a group that additionally included Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon, and Richard Gasquet.
Paris Masters Tribute Scheduled for November 3
Although Monfils cannot finish his career on court in front of his home fans, tournament organizers in Paris arranged a tribute ceremony. The homage takes place during the Tuesday night session on November 3, 2026, following the opening match on the central court. The Paris Masters acknowledgment honors a resume featuring 13 ATP singles titles, runner-up finishes at the Paris tournament in 2009 and 2010, a Roland Garros semifinal in 2008, a US Open semifinal in 2016, and a career-high ranking of world number six.
Buse Heads to Paris to Join the Farewell
Buse, currently ranked number 32 in the ATP rankings as part of a stretch of form that has solidified his status among South America’s top tennis competitors, confirmed he will be on-site to honor the Frenchman alongside other players. The Tuesday is his farewell here and we are going to be there 100%,
Buse said. The Peruvian player enters the main draw of the Paris Masters directly and faces Belgian opponent Zizou Bergs in the opening round, seeking to reverse a straight-sets loss to Bergs in October at the Shanghai Masters.
