Gael Monfils has entered retirement, earlier than he had expected. The 40-year-old French player had planned to retire at the end of the season, but the sport’s drug-testing organisation now lists him among players who have declared themselves retired, with his career officially over from 5 October.
Monfils, a former No. 6-ranked player, had received a wild card for a tournament in Lyon next week. He was widely expected to end his career in front of his home fans at the Paris Masters from 31 October. He is currently ranked 254th. Lyon organisers said on Wednesday that Monfils will not play, citing “personal reasons.”
Monfils has not publicly confirmed that he has retired. However, anyone on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s list must be available for testing for six months before they can return to competition, which makes a comeback unlikely.
A farewell at the US Open
Monfils bid farewell to Grand Slam tennis with a hard-fought loss to Learner Tien in the second round of the US Open in September. Before bowing out, he became the oldest man to win a match at the tournament since Jimmy Connors in 1992, who also achieved the feat on his 40th birthday.
A distinguished career
Monfils has won 13 titles during his career. His best Grand Slam results are two semi-finals, at the 2008 French Open and the 2016 US Open.
Monfils has previously said he is at peace with his decision to retire. He has also signed with a Swiss company to work in wealth management.