
Gael Monfils has also withdrawn from the Monte Carlo Masters, joining Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime on the tournament withdrawal list.
Monte Carlo update:
OUT: Monfils
IN: Draper (freeing up a WC)
Next: M.Ymer — Entry List Updates (@EntryLists) April 6, 2023
Monfils, 36, hasn’t played in Monte Carlo ever since reaching his first final at the tournament in 2016. In recent years, Monfils attempted to play in Monte Carlo several times but every time an injury or a setback would force him to withdraw from the tournament.
Overall, Monfils has played in Monte Carlo. In 2016, Monfils made his first Monte Carlo final before losing to Rafael Nadal. After being out for six months, Monfils made his return during the Sunshine Double. Unfortunately, Monfils sustained a wrist injury and was forced to retire his Miami first-round match.
Monfils: I’m not retiring
Last year, Monfils missed the French Open and the entire grass season after undergoing heel surgery in May. Monfils returned to action at the Montreal Masters, where he suffered a foot injury in his first tournament back.
After Monfils was forced to retire his match in Miami, some started speculating whether Monfils’ career was over. In a message posted on his website in late March, Monfils delivered a clear answer. “So, am I making my comeback? Or am I about to quit tennis? Not obvious, if I believe the media coverage I have been the subject of in recent weeks.
Let’s get things straight: Yes, I lost my first two matches in the United States. Yes, I then injured my wrist and had to retire my last match in Miami. Yes, it’s disappointing, but it’s not ‘a disaster’ nor ‘devastating’ as the most sensationalist media wrote.
No, it’s not a serious injury: it’s inflammation, linked to a neuromuscular problem. Infiltration, ultrasound and TECAR therapy should remedy this. And with any luck, I’ll be on the court in two weeks, at the Monte-Carlo Open,” Monfils wrote in a post published on his website.