ATP Tour

Monfils reunites with Gasquet, Simon & Tsonga for memorable Roland Garros farewell

When a match ends near midnight, fans typically filter out shortly after the last point. That was not the case Monday evening at Roland Garros.

After Gael Monfils fell short to fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round of the clay-court major, the crowd remained inside Court Philippe-Chatrier to celebrate the 39-year-old's career. The 2008 semi-finalist's defeat was his final match at Roland Garros.

Then came the emotions. Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga joined Monfils on the court where countless fans watched the French stars compete for the past two decades. Monfils, who last year announced that the 2026 season will be his last, will be the final member of the quartet to retire.

Gasquet (No. 7), Monfils (No. 6), Simon (No. 6) and Tsonga (No. 5) all cracked the Top 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Monfils made one semi-final at Roland Garros and three more quarter-finals.

The 13-time ATP Tour titlist also enjoyed a tribute video from some of his biggest rivals, including his three countrymen, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

"Monf, that's a wrap," Simon said in French. "It's the end of the adventure, the end of the road. It's been an incredible journey for you, for all of us and for everyone who enjoyed watching you play and all the spectators you made so happy."

Gasquet said: "Mate, I'm so proud to have spent my whole career with you, and I'm especially proud to call you a friend and to share so many memories with you."

Tsonga added: "You can be so proud of everything you've done. You've been outstanding. I think you've inspired lots of young people to take up tennis. You have inspired so many people."