
Gael Monfils struggled to find form towards the end of the 2025 season, finishing the year in a rough patch.
Gael Monfils ended his 2025 season in a slump, struggling to find his best tennis in the final months of the year. The Frenchman started brightly with a title in Auckland and a solid run at the Australian Open, but his form faded after Wimbledon — leading him to announce that 2026 will be his final season before retirement.
Now deep into pre-season, Monfils revealed to fans on his YouTube channel that he faced a worrying setback during training. While hoping to finish his career on a high, he admitted he dealt with an unexpected health concern that briefly halted his preparations.
In a rare moment of vulnerability, Monfils told fans he experienced “a little problem” during a training day that left him unable to film.
“It’s just a very small problem, nothing alarming normally,” he explained. “They told me it could be something benign, so I hope it will be alright… it was a dark day.”
He underwent bloodwork and a series of medical tests to determine the cause. Days later, Monfils returned with a much brighter update.
“I’m super happy to show you that I’m training again,” he said. “I had a lot of tests done, and in the end it’s something benign. Everything is fine — we just have to keep an eye on things, but I’m happy.”
Although he didn’t disclose the exact issue, Monfils confirmed he has been cleared to resume full training as he gears up for his “last dance” in 2026.
Monfils enjoyed a promising first half of 2025, highlighted by his 13th career title at the ASB Classic and wins across several major events. He reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, posted victories at Indian Wells and Miami, and collected match wins at Monte Carlo and Madrid.
But after Wimbledon — where he lost in the second round — his season unraveled. Monfils failed to win another match, suffering first-round exits in Washington, Toronto, the US Open and Chengdu. His ranking dropped to No. 68 heading into 2026, though wild cards will likely give him access to key tournaments in his farewell year.
Monfils is set to kick off his final season at the ASB Classic on January 5, 2026, returning as the defending champion and hoping to rediscover his early-season form one more time.
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