Monfils the Highlander of tennis

Winner Sinner

Hall of Fame
At the age of 38 years and 3 months he has just won his 13th ATP title of his career, the second in the last 15 months, to which we can add the scalp of Alcaraz (17 years younger) at the last tournament in Cincinnati.
With this success he rose to 41st position in the ranking.

All this to say without appeal of denial that the French tennis player outside of a discussion of the big three who have objectively made another sport, is by far the player of that generation who has aged better, therefore much better than the various Berdych, Wawrinka, Del Potro, Murray, Nishikori, Gasquet, Tsonga, Soderling, Ferrer, Fognini, and so on and so forth.

But all this also leads to other reflections.
Obviously the secret of this longevity, in addition to a greater physical integrity compared to the names mentioned above, is due to off-the-charts athletic skills that still make him one of the best athletes around.
I remember when it was said that LeBron, once he got older and lost a good part of his athletic prowess, would decline worse than others, instead his case, just like that of Monfils, demonstrates the exact opposite, that is, when you can count on those surreal athletic means, the risk is then to find yourself even at the threshold of 40 years with a type of first-rate athleticism that allows you to maintain excellent performance levels.

I also close by saying that these results of the old Monfils also have the other side of the coin, since they do nothing but confirm how he was able to enhance only a minimal part of his potential at the moment of his maximum competitive splendor.

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mtommer

Hall of Fame
...since they do nothing but confirm how he was able to enhance only a minimal part of his potential at the moment of his maximum competitive splendor.
Maybe. I guess it depends on what you mean by this. Monfils always struck me a someone who enjoys tennis, enjoys the celebrity status that comes with it, and although I have no doubt he did work hard, never really put in the same level of dedicated hard work that someone like Murray or Del Potro did (not to mention Fed etc.) He always came across as content to rely on his pure athleticism moreso. Nothing wrong with that but that is the feeling I always got.
 

Rovesciarete

Hall of Fame
Obviously the secret of this longevity, in addition to a greater physical integrity compared to the names mentioned above, is due to off-the-charts athletic skills that still make him one of the best athletes around.

Nice appreciation of a great athlete!

All of us have probably given him a hard time at one stage or another but it’s only because we saw how extraordinary he was..

Monfils strikes me as the prototype of the modern tennis athlete. Tall & lanky, flexible, one of the greatest movers we have seen and long-lasting.
 

RaulRamirez

Legend
Because Monfils is so athletically gifted, he always has come off as an underachiever, but I don't know if that's fair.

If we compare Monf to the greats of the sport, then his career barely registered at all. But compared to most pros, he has had a long, quite successful career. Other than "underachieving", he has had few, if any, controversies. He seems to be quite popular with other players, and with fans.

I'm happy for him achieving this.
 

Gary Duane

Talk Tennis Guru
Because Monfils is so athletically gifted, he always has come off as an underachiever, but I don't know if that's fair.

If we compare Monf to the greats of the sport, then his career barely registered at all. But compared to most pros, he has had a long, quite successful career. Other than "underachieving", he has had few, if any, controversies. He seems to be quite popular with other players, and with fans.

I'm happy for him achieving this.
It is great when nice guys occasionally finish first. :)
 

SeeItHitIt

Professional
Congrats Gael! Tres bon -

I’ve been a big fan of the athleticism he brought/brings to the game (if not the work ethic, but that’s just my perception). best of luck for a great showing @AO.
 

Incognito

Legend
I ve always wondered what happened to him and Gasquet. Both had so musch potential in 2005. The latter never developed a good forehand, probably Worst on tour. You can’t win tournaments with a great backhand and way below average forehand. Can’t afford a good coach? Too stupid to learn something new? But maybe Gasquet gets a pass because of fragile physique like glassikori?

Gael tho?? More athletic than anyone on tour bar djokovic?
 

ChaelAZ

G.O.A.T.
This version of Monfils is FINALLY the controlled and appropriately applied athleticism and talent we wanted to see decades ago. Very measure, controlled, and not overplaying for cheers. Love seeing it and the win over Fritz was solid.
 
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