Gael
Monfils downplayed the significance of the
ATP ranking he achieved at the
Cincinnati Open, stating that it is more of an obsession from people than a
personal focus.
The
36-year-old Frenchman has been experiencing a resurgence on the tour after a
year of absence. Monfils reached the round of 16 at the DC Open and then
progressed to the quarterfinals at the Canadian Open, including victories over
Aleksandr Bublik, Cristopher Eubanks, and Stefanos Tsitsipas in these two
tournaments.
"I
love the U.S. swing all the time. Stay here, felt good energies. Is great.
Really love the courts, the venues. It's always special for me to come back
playing in the States at that moment. So, you know, I'm quite
happy,"
Gael Monfils said.
In May, he
was as low as 394th in the rankings, but his performances during the hardcourt
swing have allowed him to climb to the position of world No. 211.
At the
Western & Southern Open, he achieved a significant victory in the first
round against the 13th seed
Cameron Norrie, which, according to the live rankings,
has ensured his entry into the world No. 180.
"The
thing is, of course, a lot of people mind the ranking in the absolute. I feel
like it’s different for me. It’s getting to the end of my career. Of course,
200, whatever I am. In the well-est year, I was 15. Doesn’t really matter my
ranking. It’s more about if physically I’m able to play weeks after
weeks," he added.
"I
know that when I’m 100 percent I have a decent level, maybe a bit more than my
ranking. But ranking is not for me, the end of the world. Is an obsession from
people. Maybe when you’re younger, you think about it. Maybe when you want to
be seeded, you think about it," former world No. 6 claimed.
In the
second round of Cincinnati, he will face the Australian
Alex De Minaur, who is
in great form after defeating J.J. Wolf in the first round and being a finalist
in the Masters 1000 Canadian Open.