Gaël Monfils was playing his last Roland-Garros this year. At 39, the Frenchman plans to end his professional career at the end of the 2026 season. His opening match against Hugo Gaston therefore had a special significance: this first round could be his last match in the Parisian Grand Slam.
A farewell prepared even before the match
Monfils' farewell to Roland-Garros had begun before his first-round match. A few days earlier, a special evening called “Gaël & Friends” had been organized on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The event brought together several prominent figures from the tour, including Elina Svitolina, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka, Maria Sakkari, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Richard Gasquet.
The evening felt more like a tribute than a simple exhibition match. Monfils shared the court with his wife, Elina Svitolina, in an atmosphere focused on entertainment, interaction with the audience, and a celebration of his career. The Monfils-Svitolina pair won the exhibition.
A final match scheduled on the Chatrier
For his final appearance in Paris, Monfils was scheduled for an evening session on Court Philippe-Chatrier against Hugo Gaston. The context was unique: an all-French duel, between a player nearing the end of his Roland-Garros run and a younger opponent tasked with playing his match despite the emotions surrounding the event.
Monfils first reverses the dynamic
On the court, Hugo Gaston got off to the better start. The Toulouse native won the first two sets, 6-2, 6-3, quickly putting Monfils on the brink of elimination. But the Parisian then responded by winning the next two sets, 6-3, 6-2, to level the match at two sets apiece.
This comeback prolonged the evening and postponed the moment of farewell. It also recalled a constant in Monfils' career at Roland-Garros: his ability to transform a match that started poorly into a close encounter, carried by the crowd.
A fifth set without suspense
The final set did not confirm Monfils' comeback. Gaston quickly took the lead and closed out the match 6-0 in the fifth set. The final score, 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0, ended Monfils' run in the first round.
The public accompanies Monfils' exit
In the final games, Monfils appeared physically exhausted. At 5-0 in the fifth set, he received applause from the crowd as he sat with his hands on his knees. This scene gave the final game a special significance: beyond the score, the court was witnessing the end of his time at Roland-Garros.
A page of French tennis is turning
Monfils leaves Roland-Garros after a long history with the tournament. He played his 19th main draw there, won the junior French Open in 2004, and reached the semifinals in 2008. His relationship with the Parisian crowd has been one of the defining characteristics of his career, marked by spectacular matches, late-night sessions, and the unwavering support of the Chatrier crowd.
