“I’m just happy to feel the love one last time”: Gael Monfils begins farewell Indian Wells run with win

Gael Monfils began what is expected to be his final appearance at Indian Wells with a composed straight-sets victory, defeating Canada’s Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 6-4 in the opening round. The Frenchman, who announced during the 2025 season that he will retire at the end of 2026, described the California event as one of his favourites, noting that “Indian Wells is top-five in my calendar.”

For more than two decades Monfils has been one of the sport’s most recognisable entertainers, combining athletic defence, improvisation and crowd engagement in a way few players have matched. The 39-year-old owns 13 ATP Tour titles, nearly 600 career match victories and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 6 in 2016, achievements that underline the longevity of a player who admits the journey has been “a very blessed and very long run.”

Although he never reached a Grand Slam final, Monfils came close on several occasions, reaching semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2008 and the US Open in 2016 while repeatedly advancing into the latter stages of Masters 1000 tournaments. His professional career began in 2004, meaning his farewell season is closing a run that has spanned more than two decades at the top level.

Indian Wells has often been one of the venues where Monfils’ relationship with fans is most visible. The Frenchman acknowledged the atmosphere again after his opening match, explaining that the support has remained a constant throughout his career and that the crowd continues to give him “great energy” whenever he returns to Tennis Paradise.

Monfils’ professional career began more than two decades ago during the closing stages of the 2004 season, when the French teenager received a wildcard into the Paris Masters at Bercy. The tournament, then part of the ATP’s “Super 9” series, marked the first time he competed in a main draw alongside the sport’s established stars.

Within two years he would break into the Top 25, confirming the early promise that had made him one of the most highly regarded juniors of his generation. His arrival was rapid. After coming through qualifying in Paris, Monfils suddenly found himself sharing the court with some of the leading names of the era. The experience proved decisive in shaping his belief that he could compete with the best players in the world.

“To be completely correct, it was 2004 in Bercy when I had this wildcard. I beat Dupuis and Mahut in qualifying for the Super 9,” Monfils recalled in press conference about his professional debut. “Then I played Thomas Enqvist in my first night session and beat him. After that I played Lleyton Hewitt, who was world No. 2, and lost 6-3, 7-6. I remember thinking I was not far from the world No. 2 and maybe I could do some stuff.”

His rise continued in early 2005 when he defeated Gastón Gaudio in Doha, earning his first win over a Top-10 opponent. From that point onward, Monfils viewed his career as a long and unpredictable journey, one that included significant injuries but also memorable highlights.

“Since then I was like, ‘Wow, I’m in this ride, an amazing ride, trying to enjoy every moment.’ And here I am in 2026 still playing. It’s been a very blessed and very long run,” Monfils added. “Bumpy for sure with injuries, but every second I had in this career I couldn’t dream about it because it was impossible for me.”

Now approaching the final chapter of that journey, Monfils remains focused on appreciating moments like the reception he received at Indian Wells, where the crowd again responded to his energy and showmanship.

Monfils’ opening victory over Galarneau sets up a second-round clash with world No. 9 Félix Auger-Aliassime, a matchup that represents a generational contrast between one of the tour’s longest-serving competitors and one of the leading figures of the current era.

For Monfils, however, results are no longer the only priority. Having already confirmed that the 2026 season will be his last, the Frenchman has spoken openly about embracing the final stages of his career while preparing for life beyond professional tennis.

“It’s just like embracing the final love, because I’m telling you next week when I’m home I have another celebration waiting for me, and this one is stronger, that’s for sure,” the former world No. 6 added. “Everything has an end, and I’m just happy that I can feel it one last time, the love of people, and thank them for being with me for this long ride.”

Monfils has already begun considering the direction of his post-tennis career, suggesting that his interests may move toward a completely different professional environment while still maintaining a connection to the world of sport.

“So far, as I say, normally next year I will work in finance, so completely different work than tennis. Of course I might be involved with some athletes, so I’ll be maybe a little bit around sports. I won’t say tennis specifically, but maybe around sport a little bit.”