La Monfa’s last dance: Gael Monfils bids emotional farewell to Roland Garros in first round
The curtain fell on a true icon of French tennis, and it fell exactly as he had lived his entire career: with pure showmanship, raw emotion and an absolute refusal to go quietly.
Gael “La Monf” Monfils, playing in his 19th and final Roland Garros before his retirement at the end of the 2026 season, turned back the clock for the last time on Court Philippe-Chatrier. After two sets to his 25-year-old compatriot Hugo Gaston, the 39-year-old veteran dipped deep into his magical reserves. Monfils pumped his fist towards his wife Elina Svitolina and rode an electric wave of chants from the Paris crowd, clawing his way back to force a decisive fifth set.
While the fairytale ended in a heartbreaking 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0 defeat as his physical tank ran out, Monfils walked off the clay with his head held incredibly highleaving behind a legacy of joy, acrobatic brilliance and a unique bond with fans that tennis will be hard pressed to ever replace.
LOST THE GAME, ENDED UP WINNER OF HEARTS
That has always been the definitive story of Gael Monfils, and his final bow at Roland Garros was no different. The heartbreaking score of his grueling five-set defeat was immediately overshadowed by a thunderous standing ovation. After midnight at Court Philippe-Chatrier, thousands of fans remained in their seats for an emotional farewell ceremony. Monfils took the microphone and looked up at the stands with goosebumps visible as he expressed how the unique and powerful connection he had built with the Paris crowd over two decades gave him chills every year and thanked them from the bottom of his heart.
The most deeply moving moment of his speech came when he turned to his wife, Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolinawho looked through tears. Just days before, Svitolina posted a touching letter to their daughter Skai, calling Gael the best magician who taught her that life is about the feelings you evoke rather than the numbers on the scoreboard. Monfils held the microphone and bared his heart to her in front of the stadium:
“I would like to thank my wife because without her I might not be here tonight. We have been together for 8 beautiful years. You have supported me, raised me, loved me and given me the greatest gift for our daughter. I love you.”
Gael Monfils to Elina Svitolina:
“I would like to thank my wife because without her I might not be here tonight. We have been together for 8 beautiful years, you have supported me, raised me, loved me and given me the greatest gift in our daughter. I love you.” pic.twitter.com/4GedCKi89g— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) May 25, 2026
Even as the curtain has drawn on his legacy on clay, Monfils made it clear in his post-match press conference that his farewell tour is not quite over. He revealed he has already applied for a wild card for Wimbledon and is looking forward to the hard court, even if it messes with the family calendar. With his signature smile, Monfils joked about the sudden change of schedule and his upcoming plans:
“We have to decide if we’re going to Washington or not… I changed my vacation plans with Elina. So I think she might be able to go on vacation.”
MONFILS LEGACY IN ROLAND GARROS
After his last ball at Porte d’Auteuil, “La Monf” flooded the tennis world with an emotionally charged farewell. The centerpiece was a star-studded commemorative video featuring legends Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka alongside next generation stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Their message reflected a single truth: Monfils is universally adored across generations for his infectious joy and unmatched athleticism.
Gael Monfils got a heartwarming video after playing his last match at Roland Garros
Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Wawrinka and his compatriots
He is so loved by everyone involved in this sport
pic.twitter.com/8c5pGs8FsA— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 25, 2026
While he is celebrated as an entertainer, his elite resume promotes love. Monfils reached a career-high world No. 6, won 12 ATP titles and reached two Grand Slam semifinals. Notably, his most recent campaign put him in a tie with Yannick Noah for the most Open Era Roland Garros match wins by a Frenchman (40).
The emotional climax came when Monfils was joined on court by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon. Known as France’s “Four Musketeers,” a nod to the country’s historic tennis icons from the 1920s, the quartet carried the nation’s hopes for two decades. They established the Big Three, won the Davis Cup and formed an unbreakable brotherhood. With Tsonga and Simon already retired, it closed the book on the golden generation of French tennis when the Musketeers reunited on Court Philippe-Chatrier for the elimination of Monfils.
Gael Monfils is joined by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon after playing his final match at Roland Garros.
The 4 musketeers reunited.
pic.twitter.com/pSdKgNLKDM— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 25, 2026
He may have lost the match, but Monfils walked off the clay completely victorious in the way that mattered most.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
26 May 2026 08:56 IST
‘, e.appendChild