French tennis star Gaël Monfils has made headlines with a heartfelt announcement that will mark the end of an illustrious career. The 39-year-old veteran posted a deeply personal message that touched on family, gratitude, and his future plans on the professional circuit.
His emotional words have resonated with fans worldwide as he looks ahead to what will be his final season at the highest level of tennis.
What Did Gaël Monfils Write on His Latest Instagram Post?
Monfils took to Instagram with an extensive message that captivated tennis followers globally. The French star revealed he first held a racket at two and a half years old and began his professional career at 18. “Now, after celebrating my 39th birthday just a month ago, I’d like to share that the year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player,” Monfils wrote in his retirement post.
The veteran athlete expressed profound peace with his decision to step away from tennis at the end of the 2026 season. His message overflowed with gratitude toward numerous people who shaped his journey. Monfils spoke lovingly of his wife, Elina Svitolina, calling her “my love, inspiration, and strength – and an exceptional player in her own right.”
He also dedicated touching words to their daughter, Skaï, writing that she has added “profound love, meaning, and joy” to his days.
The emotional post included heartfelt thanks to his family members, including his brother Daryl and sisters Roddie and Maélie. Monfils acknowledged his longtime agent Nicolas, coaches, teammates, and the French Tennis Federation for their unwavering support throughout his career.
Monfils thanked the fans who supported him during his matches, shouting, “Allez, Gaël!” in the stadiums or through a TV screen. He mentioned playing against some of the greatest names in the history of the sport: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray, during a golden age of tennis.
He concluded the tribute with special recognition for his parents, writing, “Papa, maman, look how far we’ve come.” The Instagram post was captioned simply with “Last dance.”
A Look at the Monfils’ Legendary Tennis Career
Monfils last competed at the Chengdu Open in September 2025, where he was forced to retire during his first-round match against Alexander Shevchenko due to an ankle injury. The Frenchman had taken the first set 7-6 before rolling his ankle late in the second set, eventually retiring at 7-6, 3-6, 0-1. Before that, he suffered a tough first-round loss to Roman Safiullin at the US Open in August in five sets.
Despite recent setbacks, Monfils enjoyed a strong start to 2025 by winning his 13th ATP Tour title at the Auckland Open in January. This victory made him the oldest ATP Tour singles champion at age 38 years and four months, breaking a record previously held by Roger Federer.
He also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open before retiring against Ben Shelton due to a back injury.
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Throughout his career, Monfils achieved a career-high ranking of World No. 6 in November 2016. He has accumulated over $24 million in prize money with a win-loss record of 583-350. The Frenchman reached Grand Slam semifinals at the 2008 French Open and 2016 US Open and appeared in three ATP Masters 1000 finals, all resulting in runner-up finishes.
With his announcement to retire at the end of 2026, Monfils can potentially compete in major tournaments, including the Grand Slams and various ATP events throughout the upcoming season.
