“At my age a major injury is the end of a career”: Gael Monfils reflects on injury struggles as he aims for Doha comeback
ATP
Gael Monfils hopes to return to the Tour this week at the Doha Open, after being forced to retire from the Australian Open due to injury. The former world No. 6 spoke about his disappointment at the withdrawal in Australia and acknowledged that a serious injury at this stage of his career could mean the end of his professional journey.
Monfils had a great week in Melbourne, where he defeated 4th seed Taylor Fritz and reached the Round of 16, where he had a hard-fought match against Ben Shelton but was forced to retire with the score 6-7, 7-6, 6-7, ret.
The 38-year-old Frenchman was signed up for the Open 13 Provence, but had to withdraw after his foot injury. Monfils recently commented in an interview with the ATP that he is feeling better from the injury but is still not at 100%.
"I hope to be available soon. I’ve started again, and my foot feels good. I think whatever happens, I will go to Doha at least to train, and if I feel capable of playing, I will play. If not, I’ll wait for Dubai," he said. “It’s going to be a matter of how it feels because I’m just starting to train again. I’m the first to be disappointed, I was playing really well and now I’m stopped. It’s never an easy position to be in.
“It’s not something serious, but as I’ve said, at my age, a major injury is the end of a career. I have a small muscle tear, so I can’t play yet. I’ll go to Doha and see if I can be ready to play.”
The Parisian will travel to Doha, where his wife Elina Svitolina is competing this week. In a week’s time, Monfils will participate in the men’s draw. He is currently the oldest player in the top 100, and his strong performance in Australia allowed him to climb to world No. 33.
🎙️ « À mon âge, une grosse blessure, c’est fin de carrière (…) J’ai une petite déchirure à la cuisse, donc je ne peux toujours pas jouer. J’irai à Doha pour voir si je peux reprendre »
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) February 9, 2025
Gael Monfils explique ses récents forfaits et espère faire son retour rapidement. 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/M8Gg62c9SK
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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