MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 23: Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand during his round of 128 match against Camilo Ugo Carabelli of Argentinia on Day Four of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on April 23, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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Gael Monfils is perhaps the greatest showman in tennis history. So it is only fitting that he says farewell at his appearance at Roland Garros with a spectacular event on the eve of the French Open: Gael Monfils and Friends.
Monfils has never won a Major or reached a final at a Grand Slam. However, he leaves his mark on tennis as an entertainer whose performances always bring the house down.
Later in the day, the show court Philippe-Chatrier will be the stage for Monfils’s French Open farewell. French Open officials have reportedly given Monfils free reign to plan his going-away party, which will feature entertainers and appearances by friends and compatriots Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.
The French Open will air the celebration live on its YouTube Channel, 7:30 p.m. Paris time. Proceeds from the event will go to several charities – Terre d’Impact, the FFT’s fundraising foundation, as well as several partner charities, including KELINA, which focuses on improving healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment, and the Epic Foundation.
Gael Monfils: Showman Not Showoff
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Gael Monfils of France dives for a forehand in his fourth round match against Andrey Kuznestov of Russia during day eight of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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Whether diving to make a defensive play or sliding into a fiery forehand, Monfils wows crowds with his elastic athleticism. A fan favorite, Monfils makes most people’s top ten tennis players most fun to watch.
Yet, despite reaching a career-high No. 6 and winning 13 ATP Tour titles during the Big Four era (Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray), Monfils sometimes is criticized as an underachiever who prefers style over substance.
Perhaps he gained that reputation because when presented with a chance to put away an obvious winner, Monfils often opted for the spectacular. But the Frenchman scoffs at the idea that he sacrificed titles to gain applause.
After winning a quarterfinal match at the 2016 U.S. Open to reach the semifinals for the first time, Monfils responded to a reporter who suggested his approach to tennis was about showing off.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 02: Gael Monfils of France plays a shot through his legs during his men’s singles match against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain on day nine of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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“If, today, you know, I drop my racquet and I do a slide you will say I will entertain people, you know, no matter what,” Monfils said in a post-match press conference. “You make it up. Oh, like he’s doing a show…Or if I do a trick shot, one, and still kill it, you will say, I’m a showman. So, you know, this one, with all the respect to everyone, is you guys to put me on the spot.”
He also hinted that the media sometimes assigns the showboat label to him but not to other players, such as compatriot Lucas Pouille.
“Today I think I haven’t the chance to do it, but Lucas, hit two good tweeners. I don’t think you will tell him he tried to entertain,” Monfils said. “Come on,” he said. “To be honest, I gonna hurt myself for people? No. I dive because I want to win the point. What’s the point to make the show and lose, actually?”
Gael And Friends: Showman Gets The Stage He Deserves
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JANUARY 11: Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine celebrates with husband Gael Monfils after winning the women’s final against Xinyu Wang of China during day 7 of the 2025 ASB Classic at ASB Tennis Centre on January 11, 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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Although, Monfils’ tennis career is coming to an end, expect to see him at many more tennis matches. His wife, Elina Svitolina is in the Top 10 and just won the Italian Open. Earlier this year, Svitolina dismantled No. 3 seed Coco Gauff at the Australian Open. Last year, they both knocked off the No. 4 seeds at the Australian Open.
Monfils considers his family and friends more important than anything that happens on the court.
“Tennis is part of my life, but tennis is not my life,” he said after a tough five-set loss to Marton Fucsovics at Wimbledon in 2025. “My life outside of tennis is my real life.”
The Gael and Friends show will feature two hours of exhibitions, music and fun. His wife, Elina Svitolina will join, Naomi Osaka, Jannik Sinner, Gasquet and Tsongo is celebrating LaMonf’s send off.
TOPSHOT – France’s Gael Monfils celebrates after winning his men’s singles match against Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day two of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on May 27, 2024. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP) (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
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French celebrities DJ Martin Solveig, singer Matt Pokora and comedian Paul de Saint-Sernin will also perform.
As he prepared for the 2026 Australian Open, Monfils spoke to reporters about his mindset heading into his final season.
“You know, I’m quite good. I’m quite good. It’s a little bit different for me, because it’s something that you can’t learn and you cannot really predict in a way. So I’m in a learning process,” he said. “I think I’m quite happy with the people surrounding me and helping me to get through this new experience. So far it’s okay.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com