Monfils bids farewell to tennis permanently with an emotional letter

Gael Monfils said goodbye to tennis for good at the ATP Paris, where he received a tribute worthy of his stature despite not participating in the tournament due to his recent separation from his now ex-wife Elina Svitolina. Once the emotions settled, the French legend published an emotional letter on Instagram thanking everyone for the support he received throughout his career and where he acknowledges that he was somewhat afraid of exposing himself to the public given his situation.

The last few weeks have been very hard for Monfils. After the US Open, it was expected that the French player would say goodbye by playing in the ATP Lyon and the Paris Masters 1000. However, he withdrew unexpectedly, raising alarms. Later, it was revealed that this decision was due to his separation from Elina Svitolina, with whom he formed one of the most beloved couples on the circuit, and that made him lose his love for tennis. Nevertheless, Gael found the strength to accept the tribute received in Paris and expressed himself openly about a moment he will never forget.

This was the full farewell letter from Monfils

Last night in Paris, I experienced one of the most beautiful moments of my life on a court. Today, their voices still resonate in my head, and I am still searching for the words. I will be honest with you: I was afraid to come. These last few weeks have been filled with emotions, and I didn’t dare to come and reunite with you. But I arrived, and the moment was magical. You have been extraordinary. I was a boy from Paris with a dream that was too big for him. A boy who ran everywhere, who slid, who jumped; who just wanted to play, enjoy, and make others enjoy. More than twenty years later, I believe I am still that same boy. And you have been there at every stage.

I did not win any Grand Slam. I lost matches that hurt me, and my body asked me many times to stop. But what you have given me, no trophy could have given me. You have given me love. So much love. A kindness I will never forget. In wins, in losses, in the moments when I had nothing left, you were there. Every “Let’s go, Gaël!” whether in the stands or in front of the television, helped me get up more times than you can imagine. Yesterday, I was the one who came to thank you. A thank you that comes from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me be myself. Thank you for loving the player and, above all, the man.

To my parents: it all started with you. To my family, my friends, my team, to everyone who has walked this path with me: I owe you everything. And to you, my Skaï. When you see these images later, I hope you can feel all the love this audience has had for me. That love is the most beautiful legacy I can leave you. Today, a chapter closes. But what we have lived together, no one can ever take that away from us. I will keep it inside me forever. I love you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Monfils se despide del tenis definitivamente con una emotiva carta