Another setback: Gael Monfils skips Shanghai after Chengdu retirement

Gaël Monfils has withdrawn from the Shanghai Masters following another ankle injury and is preparing for a significant drop in the ATP rankings. The 39-year-old recently traveled to the Chengdu Open, where he had to retire mid-match in the first round against Alexander Shevchenko (7-6, 3-6, 0-1 ret.).

The Frenchman is not having an easy time at this stage of his career and has struggled to find a consistent, injury-free playing rhythm. In fact, he holds a 0-4 record on hardcourts since the start of the North American swing in August, and since Roland Garros ended, he has accumulated only one win in his last eight matches.

It's not just his level of play, but rather his physical condition, which, at 39 years old (he turned 39 in early September), is catching up to the former World No. 6. This year, he faced an injury during the clay swing—withdrawing from Munich and Rome—while in the North American hardcourt swing, Monfils had to pull out of the Cincinnati Open due to pain in his left wrist.

It's a complicated present for Monfils, who started the year at a remarkable level by winning the ASB Classic title in January and stringing together eight consecutive wins through the Australian Open—beating none other than World No. 4 Taylor Fritz along the way. However, an injury also plagued him in Melbourne, preventing him from finishing his 4th round match against Ben Shelton, retiring at the start of the 4th set.

Monfils records historic 35th mid-match retirement

Monfils was last in competition in Chengdu on Thursday, September 18, being eliminated after retiring in his first-round match against Shevchenko. This marked the 35th time in the Frenchman's career that he has retired during a match or pulled out before a match, leading the historical category for this statistic since 1990—surpassing others like Tommy Haas (33), Nikolay Davydenko (31), and Richard Gasquet (28).

"Well… it’s clearly not the best moment of my career right now, let’s be honest (there’s a lot going on, a lot of questions… but hey). Not the best vibes, not much luck, and today the ankle gives out, just bad luck," Monfils posted on his social media after the elimination in Chengdu. "But honestly, I’m doing really well as a person and that’s what matters most."

"I’m still incredibly lucky to be able to play this high-level sport that I love so much. Even though my ankle stopped me today, I’m super grateful to everyone who works with me to keep me at my best. Thank you to everyone sending positive messages, I see them, I feel them, and it makes me so happy. Thank you so much for your support, truly."