Roland Garros pays tribute to Monfils in farewell event: Sinner and Osaka added to lineup

Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 04:00

The French Open is preparing a special farewell exhibition event for Gaël Monfils, former world No. 6 and one of the leaders of French tennis over the last two decades. Jannik Sinner, Naomi Osaka and Arthur Fils will be part of the event.

The Roland Garros organisers have decided to dedicate one of the Opening Week days to a special event for Monfils. The 39-year-old Frenchman will take to Court Philippe-Chatrier on Thursday May 21, with the presence of several top names who will accompany him in his farewell.

“Gaël has a history with Roland-Garros that is full of love and emotion, but he’s also a showman,” said Amélie Mauresmo, tournament director.

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Monfils will play the main draw of the tournament for the last time as part of his retirement in 2026, although before that he will have a special night dedicated to him, in which music, tennis and showmanship will be mixed, also including some former tennis players and people from the music world.

Sinner, Osaka and French stars confirmed for Philippe-Chatrier exhibition night

“Gaël and Friends” is the name of the event that Tennis France is preparing. Former French players Richard Gasquet – retired a year ago – and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, two of his closest friends on tour during his career, will also join.

At the moment, the presence of current French No. 1 Arthur Fils is also confirmed, as well as 4-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka – Monfils’ mixed doubles partner in the past US Open – and also the men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The presence of Elina Svitolina, Monfils’ wife and recent champion of the Rome Open a few days ago, is also expected.

There will also be a special musical section, with a festive mood led by DJ Martin Solveig, as well as rapper-dancer Franglish, singer Matt Pokora and comedian Paul de Saint-Sermin.

Monfils himself has already posted a message on social media about his feelings ahead of his final appearance in the tournament. “It’s crazy, but today I start my last week of training on clay,” he said on his Instagram account. “After all these years, I’m not going to hide that it feels weird.”

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Monfils has made a total of 18 appearances at the French Open in his career, with an overall record of 40–17 – being the Grand Slam where he achieved his best results, with more wins and a better win percentage (70%).

His best result was the semifinals back in 2008, where he was defeated by Roger Federer in four sets. He also reached the quarterfinals three other times, being eliminated by Federer (2009, 2011) and by Andy Murray (2014).

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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