I no longer live just for tennis, I want to be there for my daughter and my wife.
Gaël Monfils
The day before, Gaël Monfils had taken seventh place in this alumni ranking, just behind Roger Federer and ahead of compatriot Gilles Simon. By overcoming Damir Dzumhur – 6-4, 6-3 – on the hard court outside of China’s largest city. At 38 years old, since September 1, being at a stage in his life where his high-level sporting career has fallen back in the hierarchy of his priorities.
“I no longer live just for tennis anymore,” he explained in the mixed zone after his victory. “I have a daughter, I want to be a good father and do my best to adjust my schedule to be present for my family. My priority is to be there for my daughter, my wife (Elina Svitolina) and to have fun training, to practice my sport with less pressure.”
Enjoy matches against big names in front of packed stands
Gaël Monfils
Don’t get me wrong: he hasn’t stopped setting goals. Certainly, realistic, in line with his current level and the weight of his years, he has revised them downwards compared to his past youth. But he has not lost the desire to measure himself against the big names of the moment. By finding the positive about his current situation.
“I want to win as many matches as possible,” assured the man who signed Carlos Alcaraz to Cincinnati this summer. “People think it’s a small goal, but it’s not. To still be able to win matches, to stay sharp, to be ready for big matches, that’s a big goal. I am lower ranked (46th), but that suits me, because it allows me to have duels against big names from the first rounds, to take advantage of these opportunities in front of full stands.”
I’m more than happy to be able to enjoy the end of my career at the same time as him (Stan Wawrinka).
Gaël Monfils
“And I don’t just want to face these guys, I want to compete with them,” added the former world No. 6, scheduled to face number 22 seed Sebastián Báez in the second round in Shanghai. “Even if I don’t win, I want to be able to shake them up. It’s a bit like a great last dance; being able to hold these guys, that’s what continues to motivate me, to push me to stay in shape.”
Taking advantage, too, of the old friends on the circuit. “It’s amazing to spend time with Stan (Wawrinka),” he said. “We started together, we will probably end together. He’s a little older than me, I can lean on him. It’s a legend. Just being at the stadium with him is a privilege. Having this long and great relationship is unique. I am more than happy to be able to enjoy the end of my career at the same time as him.”
