Gael Monfils spoke about the positive side of not participating in Wimbledon and spending time with his daughter.
The Frenchman was one of the last-minute withdrawals from the All England Club, as he was not at 100% physically, and after a couple of complicated years due to injuries, Gael Monfils chose to skip Wimbledon.
The former world No. 6 had hoped to compete in the grass-court tournament, even though he had already withdrawn from the French Open before his second-round match against Holger Rune. Nevertheless, Monfils displayed great form in defeating the Argentine Sebastian Baez in the first round.
In a recent interview with Tennis Majors, Monfils mentioned that although he couldn't be at SW19, it worked out well for him as he got to spend some quality time with his daughter, Skai.
"She’s doing good, she’s growing up quite fast, actually," he said.
"You are at home, but it’s a privilege to spend quality time as well, at home with your child. It can never be too much."
Elina Svitolina on if Gael Monfils will come to her next match: “I wouldn’t want to change much. I’m not really superstitious, but I don’t want to jinx. He’s happy at home. He’s watching from home with Skaï. He has his routines before my match. It’s ok, I let him stay at home”😂
Gael Monfils also mentioned that he will be away from his daughter for the next few weeks due to his busy schedule:
"It’s going to be a few weeks without her and it’s gonna be tough, but I feel like we will have more time in a few weeks," Monfils added.
Gael Monfils also had words of praise for his wife, Elina Svitolina, who had an incredible run at Wimbledon and reached the semifinals, ultimately falling to the eventual champion, Marketa Vondroussova. Svitolina's journey at the tournament included impressive victories over four Grand Slam champions, including the world No. 1, Iga Swiatek:
“It has been an amazing month for me, watching my wife do fantastic, and I have had quality time with my daughter as well, so you know I’m just full of energy and really want to do well during this tour," Monfils added.
“Just proud of my wife, to be honest,” he said about his wife run in SW19.
“How much work she has put in to be at that level. How much discipline she had. I was amazed by her strength, mentally, in some matches, to turn them around and then come back for her next match – I was proud and inspired. This is why I feel like a champion right now.”
Gael Monfils on Elina Svitolina’s magical Wimbledon: “I’m proud of my wife. How much work & discipline she put in to be at that level. I was amazed by her strength, mentally, to turn some matches around.. I was proud & inspired. This is why I feel like a champion right now.” 🥹
