Former Finalist Gael Monfils Out Of Monte Carlo As Nightmare Season Continues - UBITENNIS

Former Finalist Gael Monfils Out Of Monte Carlo As Nightmare Season Continues

The world No.13 says he is ‘optimistic’ for the future after revealing details of a new injury.

By Adam Addicott
3 Min Read

France’s highest ranked player has pulled out of the first Masters event of the season to take place on the clay due to the deterioration of an injury.

Gael Monfils issued a statement on Sunday confirming that he is suffering from a calf injury which has worsened during his most recent practice session. The setback comes during what has been a nightmare time on the Tour for the world No.13 who is currently on a seven-match losing streak. Prior to the pandemic, the 34-year-old was one of the top players in men’s tennis and achieved a win-loss record of 16-2 during the first quarter of 2020. However, since then he has now won a match in 14 months.

“Sadly I am forced to withdraw from the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters. I have been feeling some pain at the bottom of my calf for the last ten days and it got worse yesterday during my last practice,” Monfils wrote in a statement.
“On the advice of the medical staff, I took an ultrasound which has confirmed the extent of the injury . Therefore I am forced to postpone my return to play.”

Monfils was filmed practising at the Monte Carlo Country Club earlier this week and wasn’t wearing any protection around his calf at the time. Although this was before he had an ultrasound. It is unclear as to when he plans to return to the Tour ahead of his home Grand Slam the French Open which begins on May 30th.

“I remain positive and optimistic for the rest of the season. I will start specific treatment from today in the hope to return to play as soon as possible,” he stated.

The two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist hasn’t played a competitive match since the Australian Open where he lost in the first round to Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori. Following that defeat, he admitted that he had ‘no confidence’ in his game and was struggling to regain his form.

Monfils, who recently announced his engagement to Elina Svitolina, is a former finalist in Monte Carlo. In 2016 he finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal after taking a set off him. However, he hasn’t played in the tournament since.

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