Former world number six and US Open semifinalist confirms he will retire from tennis at the end of next year

The 2025 tennis calendar is currently on the Asian swing, and there is plenty of tennis left to play before the year draws to a close.

Elina Svitolina announced last week that she’s ended her 2025 season, and other players are following suit.

Jack Draper was injured at the US Open and won’t play again this year, whilst Paula Badosa has decided to take a break after getting injured in China.

Now, it’s the turn of Gael Monfils, and this morning, he’s opted to share an update on his future with his fans.

Gael Monfils announces decision to retire next year

Monfils has today made an announcement about his future on the ATP Tour.

The French player is one of the most charismatic players in world tennis, and he’s enjoyed something of a renaissance during 2025.

Monfils reached round four of the Australian Open this year, defeating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Daniel Altmaier and Taylor Fritz before retiring against Ben Shelton in round four.

With the 2026 schedule now in the sights of some players, Monfils has announced on social media that it will be his last as a professional.

He posted on X: “I held a racket in my hands for the first time at two and a half, and began playing professionally at 18.

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“Now, after celebrating my 39th birthday just a month ago, I’d like to share that the year ahead will be my last as a professional tennis player.

“The opportunity to turn a passion into a profession is a privilege I have cherished during every match and moment of my 21-year career. Though this game means the world to me, I am tremendously at peace with my decision to retire at the end of the 2026 tennis season.

Mostly, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude. I’d like to express it to so many people: To my wife, Elina, my daughter Skai, my brother Daryl and my sisters Roddie and Maelie, to my best friends and loved ones, to my long-time agent Nicolas, to my coaches and team members over the years, to every person who cheered for me, to the French Tennis Federation, to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet and my parents.

“While I came close, I never did win a Grand Slam during my career, I won’t pretend that I expect to do so during the next year.

“You could have, you should have…

“As those who know me can attest, I’ve never thought this way, and frankly, I’m far too old to start doing so now, life is far too short. Believe me when I say I have no regrets. What I do have is the feeling that I have been lucky: insanely, stupidly lucky. I’ve had the chance to play during a golden age of tennis, alongside some of the greatest names in the history of our sport: Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray.

“Even losing feels epic when you’re facing a legend (though I have to admit that the occasional wins were pretty euphoric too).

“An exciting new generation of players is already here, and I hope they’ll enjoy their time on the court as much as I have for the last two decades. At the risk of sounding like a dad – which I am – it really does go by so fast.

“When you love something so much, it never feels like a good time to say goodbye, but 40 will be the right time for me. Of course, winning one more title before I’m done would be incredible. Truthfully, though, my only real goal for the year ahead is simple: To enjoy every minute and to play each match like it’s my last.”

Gael Monfils’ top highlights as a professional tennis player

Reaching the world number six spot is an obvious milestone in the career of Monfils and he’s a player who has always given everything.

There have also been two Grand Slam semifinals for the Frenchman, which came in 2008 at the French Open and in 2016 at the US Open.

He lost to Roger Federer in four sets during the Roland Garros last four match, whilst Novak Djokovic sent him out of the Flushing Meadows tournament in 2016.

Monfils has won 13 titles across his professional career but never managed to win an ATP 1000 event, with finals reached at the Paris Masters twice and the Monte-Carlo Masters.

How Monfils has performed in 2025

Clearly, the run to round four in Melbourne was the highlight, but there have been other memorable moments too.

There was an epic match with Draper at the French Open that gave the Great British number one a real scare before he came through in four sets, whilst he also reached the fourth round at the Miami Open before losing to Seb Korda.

Monfils can now look ahead to his final year on the tour, and with the news out in the open, perhaps any of the pressure he was feeling can be removed and he can concentrate on enjoying his final year.

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