The experienced Frenchman was defeated by compatriot Hugo Gaston late last night, our time, after a great fight and five sets – 6:2, 6:3, 3:6, 2:6, 6:0.
Monfils (39) announced earlier this year that he would hang up his racket at the end of the season.
Gael lost the opening two sets quite easily, but in the next two he responded to his rival in almost the same way. However, in the fifth set, the favorite of the home crowd, but also one of the most beloved players on the Tour, ran out of strength, which Gaston took advantage of and settled this period of play, and also the match, with a score of zero.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were among the first to send words of support to Monfils via social media.
Gael's best result at the French Open was in 2008, when he reached the semifinals, and that is also his greatest success at Grand Slam tournaments, along with the semifinals of the US Open in 2016.
Gaston will play against Argentine Francisco Serundolo in the second round.
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