Sports · Tennis · 11 hrs ago
Tsitsipas and Medvedev praise Gaël Monfils as he retires
Gaël Monfils is retiring from professional tennis, prompting tributes from fellow players Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev.
Tsitsipas spoke in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he had reached the semifinals, and called Monfils one of his best friends on tour.
He said tennis was losing a rare personality, praising Monfils’s charisma, humor and lighthearted approach to life.
Monfils has never won a Grand Slam title, but Tsitsipas said he is respected as much as players who have won several.
Medvedev wished Monfils well and said it can be good to see players finish their careers happy with what they achieved.
Several other players are also stepping away this year, including Mikhail Kukushkin, who played his final match in Almaty, and David Goffin, whose last match was in Brussels.
Monfils’s retirement marks the end of his career, though the sources do not give a date for his final match.
Gaël Monfils is retiring from tennis, prompting tributes from Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev.
Tsitsipas called Monfils one of his best friends on tour and said tennis would lose a rare personality.
He said Monfils is as respected as someone who has won multiple Grand Slam titles, despite never winning one.
Medvedev wished Monfils well and said players must eventually stop competing.
Tsitsipas also spoke about the challenges players can face as they leave professional tennis.
- Who
- Gaël Monfils is retiring, and Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev paid tribute to him.
- What
- Tsitsipas and Medvedev praised Monfils and reflected on his retirement.
- When
- Tsitsipas spoke in Almaty on Friday; the articles were published on October 22 and 23, 2026.
- Where
- Tsitsipas spoke in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Why
- Monfils is ending his tennis career.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Monfils’s retirement was quietly confirmed.
Mikhail Kukushkin played the last match of his career in Almaty.
David Goffin played his last match in Brussels.
Tsitsipas spoke in Almaty after reaching the semifinals.
- Retiring player
- Gaël Monfils
- Tributing players
- Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev
- Tsitsipas’s location
- Almaty
- Grand Slam titles won by Monfils
- None
- Publication dates
- October 22 and 23, 2026
3 sources
Tsitsipas, Medvedev pay tribute to Monfils: ‘As respected as someone who has won multiple Grand Slams’
Stefanos Tsitsipas reacts to Gael Monfils suddenly retiring from tennis, ‘I’m actually quite sad’
Stefanos Tsitsipas reacts to Gael Monfils and Stan Wawrinka deciding to retire from tennis this year
What people are saying
Great friend of mine, one of the best friends that I have on tour. An absolutely lovely soul. I’m actually quite sad that tennis is going to lose a person like that
Despite, believe it or not, never having won a Grand Slam title, he’s probably as respected as someone who has won multiple Grand Slams.
I respect those that retire and retire for good.
Of course, with Gaël it’s a tough period; I wish him all the best