“He has always been…

By Elsa Girard-Basset | Web journalist

If no one can question the career of Gaël Monfils and the immense pleasures he has given us, the figures are stubborn: the Frenchman in fact holds the record for the greatest record against a single opponent, with 20 defeats in 20 matches against Novak Djokovic. But the Serbian's words towards him remain, despite everything, always full of class.

If Rafael Nadal made short work of Richard Gasquet each time he met him on the professional circuit (18-0), the record for the most unbalanced face-to-face in his career well and truly belongs well to Novak Djokovic, who, after his victory this Thursday morning, has an immaculate record of 20 wins for 0 losses against Gaël Monfils. Never seen before.

Novak Djokovic still complimentary towards Gaël Monfils

Before this 20th meeting, which ended like the previous ones with a victory for Djoko (6-3, 6-3), the Serb had showered the Frenchman with compliments at a press conference. Careful not to offend the tricolor, which he particularly appreciates for its versatility and showmanship, he declared:

I hope my series against Gaël will continue. We met in the locker room after our matches today and talked about it. It's incredible. He's a year older than me, but he's still going strong. He has always been one of the best athletes on the circuit. Flexibility, agility, speed, strength, everything is exceptional about him.

Last year he beat Alcaraz in Cincinnati, which in terms of surface speed is similar to here, very fast. He moves as well as anyone else. He has always had great agility and excellent defense, which allows him to be very skilled at the net.

He's been a complete player for many years and it's great to be able to compete against him at this level, as veterans of the game. It's going to be fun.

Comments which echo those made by the “Djoker” in 2022, a bit embarrassed to have to answer a question on a record which then stood at 18-0:

My record against (Monfils)? I don't have an explanation for that. I just try to approach it like every other match. I imagine his game matches mine well. But I have to say we had some very close games. He is one of the most athletic and lively players on the circuit. I know his game very well.

Gaël Monfils was unable to avoid this not necessarily flattering 20/20, and it is therefore Benoît Paire who remains, to this day, the last Frenchman to have beaten Novak Djokovic in Miami in 2018. Not enough to undermine respect for the Serbian for “La Monf”, a valiant opponent whom he never criticized.