"The pandemic slowed my rise" says Gael Monfils

At the start of 2020, Monfils reached the R16 stage at the Australian Open and continued that good form during the indoor season in Europe. He won back-to-back titles in Montpellier and Rotterdam while also reaching the Dubai semifinal. After that, the season got suspended and Monfils saw his rise halted.

When the season resumed Monfils played his worst tennis ever and compiled a winless record in several matches. On those struggled he said:

"I really like feeling the energy of the public and this made it really difficult for me to play in the empty stadiums. Covid-19 destroyed my rise and all the good time I was having, it was something I couldn't handle. I was playing my best tennis and I was one step away from returning to my Best Ranking, the suspension of the Tour ruined everything and it took me time, I think about a year and a half, to regain momentum."

It wasn't all gloom for Monfils as the Frenchman had plenty of time to spend with his significant other, WTA player Elina Svitolina. The added time with Svitolina convinced Monfils she was the one and he decided to put a ring on it. The duo married earlier this year and on his relationship with Svitolina, Monfils said:

"We share a goal, which is to be high-level athletes. We understand all the sacrifices that must be made and we train together. Discipline is important to us, I have six or seven hours of training a day and I organize my life based on my training. My parents taught me to pursue my passion but also to let myself go. People see me as a man who makes a show, but they forget that behind there is a human being with emotions and with a family behind him."