Gael Monfils prepares for French Open farewell with star-studded exhibition match

[p]The popular Frenchman took centre stage ‌on Court Philippe-Chatrier for 'Gael & Friends', an evening that ‌blended tennis, music and tributes to celebrate his two-decade journey on ‌the professional tour.[/p][p]The former world number six was joined ‌by an array of leading players, including [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/djokovic-novak/AZg49Et9/"]Novak Djokovic[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sinner-jannik/6HdC3z4H/"]Jannik Sinner[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/zverev-alexander/dGbUhw9m/"]Alexander Zverev[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tsitsipas-stefanos/hb6oWfc6/"]Stefanos Tsitsipas[/a].[/p][p]Four-times Grand Slam champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/osaka-naomi/MDM4BKiA/"]Naomi Osaka[/a] also ‌featured, alongside [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/sakkari-maria/KjsokFUj/"]Maria Sakkari[/a] and rising ⁠American talent [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jovic-iva/bmWvBlnL/"]Iva Jovic[/a], while ‌his former Davis Cup teammates [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tsonga-jo-wilfried/xnZ1UwRK/"]Jo-Wilfried Tsonga[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gasquet-richard/GxY5TctR/"]Richard Gasquet[/a] added ​a nostalgic touch to the occasion.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/monfils-gael/fm7G8o0m/"]Monfils[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/monfils-elina/jyngIesG/"]Svitolina[/a] capped the night by winning the exhibition event, ​delighting the Paris crowd in an event filled with laughter, trick shots and playful exchanges replacing the usual tension ⁠of a competition.[/p][embed guid="52221c4c-860a-4c08-849d-a825bdaa2797" url="https://x.com/ElinaSvitolina/status/2057391735047630991" social-type="twitter" /][p]Monfils won ​13 ATP titles and enjoyed memorable runs in Paris, including a semi-final appearance in 2008. He helped France to Davis Cup finals in 2010 and 2014.[/p][p]While a Grand Slam ‌title eluded him, his impact extended far beyond results and his on-court charisma made him a major draw card wherever he played.[/p][p][b]"Thanks to you all for everything you've given me over the years,"[/b] the 39-year-old showman said after the exhibition match.[/p][p]"It's been a dream of my life. I've always given my absolute most. I was never quite good enough to win a Grand Slam. But maybe I ‌won something more important than that - a tennis career I'm ​proud of."[/p][p]Svitolina, who had earlier called her husband "a magician" ‌in a note written to their daughter, was reduced to tears as Monfils lingered on court, soaking up one final ovation.[/p][p]Monfils will play 25-year-old compatriot Hugo Gaston in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/gaston-h-hGqnSub7/monfils-g-fm7G8o0m/?mid=6ie1sxmC"]first round at Roland Garros next ⁠week[/a], his 19th appearance ⁠in the main draw ‌at the French Open.[/p]