Monfils aims to follow in footsteps of sports icons Ronaldo and LeBron

French Tennis Player Gael Monfils Announces Plans to Retire at End of Season

Gael Monfils, a 40-year-old French tennis player, has announced his plans to retire from professional tennis at the end of the current season. In his final match at Roland-Garros on Monday, Monfils lost to fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in straight sets.

Monfils will continue to compete in several tournaments before retiring, including Wimbledon, Montreal, and the US Open. He has expressed a desire to play until he is 40 years old, citing examples of athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James, and Stan Wawrinka who have continued to compete at an advanced age.

Monfils acknowledged that playing on clay has become more challenging in recent years, but remains committed to training. He hopes to secure a wildcard entry into the US Open and plans to play Wimbledon and Montreal before his retirement. Monfils also mentioned that he will consider playing in other tournaments, including Lyon and Vienna, although the details of these plans are still unclear.

Monfils’ decision to retire at 40 is part of a broader trend among professional athletes to extend their careers into their 40s. The French player has had a successful career, reaching the semifinals of the French Open in 2008 and winning 13 ATP titles.

Source: Al Jazeera