Monfils bids farewell to Grand Slams and reveals what he will do after his retirement
The French tennis player thanked New York for its support in his last match at a major and surprised everyone by revealing what his next job will be.
Gael Monfils has put an end to his Grand Slam appearances after losing to Learner Tien in the second round of the US Open. In his retirement year, the French player is receiving love from every court he enters, something he has appreciated before revealing what his surprising new job will be after retiring.
Many see Monfils as a showman on the court, but according to him, during a press conference he is the complete opposite behind closed doors. In fact, he considers himself a very methodical person, and his future plans will be completely away from tennis. His new life will revolve around finance, something that has surprised many and is further proof that the Frenchman is just as unpredictable in his private life as he is when playing a match.
Monfils thanks the crowd for their support in his last Grand Slam match
The atmosphere was incredible. You know, an amazing energy on the court. It was really great. You always want to give a little more, you always want to hang on a bit longer. I gave it my all, I even think I overdid it, but Learner was a very tough opponent tonight. I give him a lot of credit. He really stayed focused with the atmosphere and everything, so congratulations to him.
Emotions after the US Open tribute
It was really great. I saw this first match against Novak in 2005. But as I said, even watching this montage, I was thinking back to the youth category when I arrived the first year and then seeing the difference in the color of the courts and everything. In fact, it reminds me of how many matches I played here and how much atmosphere I've experienced, because they showed incredible matches with lots of points and memories.
How does he want to be remembered?
Honestly, I don't know. As they wish, to be honest. I'm just me, Gael Monfils. I think I've been the same since I started, full of joy, and I feel that you don't have to tell anyone how you want to be remembered. I think some people like me, others do not. Some people think I'm funny, others do not. Some people think I entertain them, others maybe not. So I'm fine with everything, to be honest. The most important thing for me is how my family experienced all these years and how they will remember that this experience was incredible. That was the most important thing for me.
Monfils reveals how he is processing the end of his career
One aspect that also helps us succeed is making decisions, and this one is very important. Perhaps the most important, because it is the last, but let's say that you have been training your mind and your obsession with your sport for so many years, so when you take it, for me, it was easier. To be honest, it was easier. As I said, it was very difficult for me. A couple of weeks in Paris, a couple of months ago, it was very hard, because you really don't know what to expect or how you are going to react.
It was a bit harder for me to manage my emotions and play and perform, because I said I wanted to say goodbye but be able to perform well. In Paris it was a bit tougher, but I felt like I learned a lot. And then it was much better, much easier for me to handle it here, because here it was something big, very important, and I was very happy to be able to be here.
What will he do once he retires?
To be honest, next year a new chapter awaits me. I will work in finance. I signed a contract to work in wealth management at a Swiss company, so my next chapter will be working in an office and in finance. I will always keep an eye on tennis, because I love it. My wife plays. I don't think I will dedicate much to tennis next year. But, of course, I will be close to Elina, whatever happens, although I will focus more on finance.
Will he maintain his same personality in his new adventure?
I think you should ask my wife, you would be very surprised. In tennis, I am who I am, but I think that she would tell you she wishes I were like that at home. I think at home I am a bit stricter, more serious, completely different. Here is my place of joy, where I can unleash my emotions. Then I am quite... it's hard to say, but I'm not very flexible in some ways, I like everything to be done immediately and I'm a bit of a maniac, so that fits perfectly for my next chapter. Tennis is completely different.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Monfils se despide de los Grand Slams y desvela qué hará tras su retirada