Monfils Reflects On ‘Beautiful’ Memories Of Monte-Carlo

Gael Monfils didn’t get the result he wanted Tuesday against Alexander Bublik in the second round of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. But after a warm farewell from fans, players and tournament officials, he departs his 13th and final appearance at the tournament full of love and appreciation.

“Honestly, I take away every match I’ve played here. From the first to the last, every moment I’ve had on this clay, which is beautiful,” he said.

“The chance to have played this tournament 13 times… I’ll take a bit of all that with me.”

Asked what he would remember most about the event, he said, “A beautiful tournament, a beautiful court and an unbelievable view.”

Monfils, who reached the 2016 final and finishes with a 15-13 record at the event, said that he was a little disappointed to have not pushed Bublik harder in today’s 6-4, 6-4 loss.

“I wanted to do a bit better today. I lacked a bit of pep,” he said.

“I was a little bit flat and I wanted to do better. He played well, but I wanted to do better. That’s really it — the desire to do better. But sometimes it catches up with you.

“Sometimes I want to do better, but I think my body doesn’t always allow me to do more.”

Asked about his immediate schedule, Monfils said that he was waiting to hear back from tournaments regarding wild card requests in the lead-up to his final Roland Garros.

He said that his farewell season has been an emotional one so far, but that he tries to block out sentimental feelings during matches.

“I try to be as competitive as possible and to block all that out as much as I can,” he said. “But of course, once it’s over, all of that comes back.

“During the match, I try to be as ready as possible to put on a good performance.”

Monfils has a 3-4 win-loss record on the season and a 586-355 record over his career.

Bublik had some touching words for Monfils at the net after their match.

“This match was not about me; it’s all about Gael, who has had an amazing career and been an amazing champion. I was happy to be part of it,” Bublik said during his on-court interview.

“As I said to him at the net, it was exactly 10 years ago that I was a hitting partner for him and Grigor. Back then he was one of the few guys who told me I was going to make it. It was really emotional.”

Playing his farewell season, 39-year-old Monfils earlier in the tournament rallied from a set down to defeat Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-7(7), 6-1, 6-4.

With the victory, Monfils broke a tie with Richard Gasquet and now has won more ATP Masters 1000 matches (145) than any other Frenchman. He also became the second-oldest Masters 1000 match winner behind Ivo Karlovic, who reached the Indian Wells fourth round as a 40-year-old.