Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reflect on their careers: Why didn't they win a Grand Slam?
ATPSunday, 15 December 2024 at 19:31
Gael Monfils has launched the first episode of
his podcast, with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the guest. The Frenchmen reflected on
their careers as contemporaries and discussed why neither of them has a Grand
Slam title despite being prominent figures on the Tour.
Both are part of a golden generation of French
tennis, alongside Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet, who energized the most
important tournaments on the Tour for two decades. Only Monfils remains active,
currently ranked No. 55 in the world, but he is already stepping outside the
court with his podcast.
Tsonga and Monfils dive into their careers
Both Tsonga and Monfils made their Tour debuts
in 2004, and they agreed on how much tennis has changed over the years, with a
greater focus on physicality and speed. “This sport has changed. Now, there is
a lot of importance on the physical aspect of players, and the speed of play is
higher than when we started,” Tsonga commented.
“The playing style has also changed, now there
are more very complete players but with less identity. The good thing is that
the new generation has a lot of personality, and everyone wants to have their
own signature. They don’t want to be boxed in and live in a bubble. Also, I
feel like there are more friendships in the locker room, and the guys spend
more time together.”
The Frenchmen lived through their best years on
the Tour while witnessing firsthand the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael
Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. After highlighting the difference with
the new generation of players, the former world No. 5 and 18-time ATP title
winner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, tried to explain why neither he nor Monfils (former
No. 6) managed to win the elusive major title.
“We simply didn’t win a Grand Slam because we
weren’t good enough. We were good enough to go far, but not to win them. That’s
a sincere and honest answer, and then we can speculate on what we should have
changed or what needed improvement, but that’s how it happened.”
“The Big 4 were better than us. They made you
feel weak,” added Gael Monfils. “For example, against Nadal in Monte Carlo, I
played the best match of my life on clay and he beat me 6-0 in the third set.
He is the best. I gave it my all, and he physically destroyed me. It’s
incredible. Sampras was the greatest legend in our sport for winning 14 Grand
Slams, and Nadal won 14 just at Roland Garros,” he emphasized.
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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