Gael Monfils, ever the showman throughout his sparkling career, was tipped by many to go out in a blaze of glory.
They predicted he would stride onto the Paris Masters court, fresh from competing in Lyon, and treat his home fans to one last magical run, laden with all of his best tricks from the last 20 years and beyond.
Sadly, the truth could not have been more incongruous.
Instead of getting the fitting farewell he richly deserves, Gael Monfils silently slipped into retirement, removing himself from the sport’s anti-doping protocols, and withdrawing from these two home events.
His split with Elina Svitolina was assumed to be the reason for such a drastic decision, but he has now confirmed the exact reason why he chose this way to retire.
Gael Monfils breaks silence on why he suddenly retired from tennis
Speaking on his Twitch stream last night, he began with an emotional monologue regarding the dissolution of his marriage with Svitolina.
“The separation with Elina hurt me a lot,” Monfils admitted. “We are human, we have our own problems, and we do not necessarily control what we want. This separation did not leave me without reaction.”
It was that reaction which prompted his shock retirement, continuing: “For people who have been in my case, living a breakup is not easy and when it happens, I can’t train as I want; I’m not at my top psychologically. I’m not going to pretend… I eat less, I do everything less well. I talk to my family and loved ones, and this prompted me to ask myself the question: ‘Am I going to be strong enough, in training, in my preparation?’
“It’s already very hard to get back on the field for the end of your career, with emotions you don’t know, and when you’re also touched, and you have to project yourself, I just didn’t find it possible to play.”
Fortunately, fans will be afforded one final opportunity to show their support for the 38-year-old, as he revealed plans to return to Paris to say goodbye to his fans.
Monfils added: “Of course I wasn’t going to leave like that.
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“And now I want to thank the family of French tennis that supported me. At the Paris Masters 1000, on Tuesday, November 3, after the first match of the night session, there will be a tribute to my career, a big show, and I will be able to say goodbye to you in person.”
This comes after Martina Navratilova and Boris Becker both sent messages to Monfils and Svitolina following backlash from their initial announcement.
