French tennis star Gael Monfils announced on Wednesday that he will quit the international circuit at the end of the 2026 season. The 39-year-old made the declaration on social media.
"The opportunity to turn my passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career," he wrote.
"Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision."
Born Gael Sebastian Monfils on 1 September to Rufin Monfils and Sylvette Cartesse who had come to France from Guadeloupe and Martinique respectively, he grew up with a brother and two sisters in north-eastern Paris.
His genius with a racquet and ball would take him to all four corners of the planet.
He played his first junior match in January 2002 in Sweden. Two years later, he was the junior world number one clocking up victories at the junior events at the Australian Open in Melbourne, the French Open in his home town and on the lawns of Wimbledon in south-west London.
He turned professional in 2004 and distinguished himself as the showman incarnate in an era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
"I've had the chance to play during a golden age of tennis alongside some of the greatest names in the history of our sport," Monfils said.
"Even losing feels epic when you're facing a legend (though I have to admit the occasional wins were pretty euphoric, too)."
The announcement comes with Monfils at 53 in the world rankings, a far cry from the high of sixth place in July 2016.
A final year on the tour will furnish him with a chance to add to a trophy cabinet boasting the silverware from 13 triumphs from his 35 finals.
"While I came close, I never did win a Grand Slam during my career," he added. "I won't pretend that I expect to do so during the next year.
"You could have, you should have ...
"As those who know me can attest, I've never thought this way, and frankly I'm far too old to start doing so now.
"Believe me when I say I have no regrets.
"What I do have is the feeling that I have been lucky: insanely, stupidly lucky."
Over the course of a 2026 Gael gala farewell tour, fans across the globe are likely to reciprocate the sentiment.
