Gaël Monfils went to the end of his strengthAustralian Open. Tournament winner d’Auckland before heading to Melbourne, the Frenchman pulled out all the stops on Saturday against the world number 4, Taylor Fritz. This Monday, against another American, Ben Sheltonthe Monf’ once again put up a superb battle for three rounds before breaking down. Trailing 7-6(3), 6-7(3), 7-6(2) after almost three hours of struggle, My son probably knew that his chance had passed. After a long break and a game played in the fourth, the 38-year-old was forced to retire after a discussion with his clan. Hit in the thigh, My son couldn’t anymore. A cruel ending but the week was wonderful. Gael had a smile as he left the court.
Video – Gaël Monfils, beaten in the 8th round of the Australian Open
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“His game wore me down. And I felt that I had crossed a limit”
“From the start, I felt tired”acknowledged My son at a press conference. “It was very heavy. I hoped that we would both serve well, without too much exchange. We served well, but there were still exchanges… The plan did not start well. To turn it over, I forced it on the legs. His game wore me out. And I felt like I had crossed a line. The head, it wants. We will say it, the sentence: ”At some point, I’m not twenty anymore!” It’s too physical for me. There are always positive things to take away, I am satisfied that I have everything I had in me and I feel that I am still learning. At my age, I know I have to adapt and make some changes to be able to play longer and with a chance of success.”
“I was really afraid of making the wrong move trying to pull away to win a game or two”
He then spoke about his injury. “At first, I wonder if it’s not a cramp, I even wish it was one. But it didn’t vibrate in the leg, you felt the stab. I drink the pickle juice and I’m like, “What are you doing, you don’t have cramps…” I just see that I’m dead. And I’m super happy because I was really afraid of making the wrong move trying to pull away to win a game or two.”
“I gave everything, I can’t give more, I even gave too much”
Honored by the public and Ben Shelton, My son still appreciated and savored this moment. “The public saw that it was a good match and that I had been at the end of my rope for a long time. They saluted me, I thank them. I gave everything, I can’t give more, I I even gave too much.he’s someone I really appreciate. He won well, he managed to wear me out, big congratulations to him. Well, he’s my friend. We train together quite often, I love his dad.”
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