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Gilles Simon definitely won't be coming out of retirement for this year's French Open as the former world No 6 jokingly said that would only make his first-round rival at Roland Garros happy. Simon, 38, retired from pro tennis in late 2022 at the Paris Masters.
But Simon still has a ranking as he is No 194 and made the French Open qualifying cut. A fan reached out to Simon on Twitter, telling the Frenchman he would absolutely love to see him give a shot to this year's French Open.
"The only one who would love would be my first round opponent," Simon tweeted.
Le seul qui kifferait serait mon adversaire du premier tour 😅 https://t.co/I7KlPxEU5O — Gilles SIMON (@GillesSimon84) April 17, 2023
Simon played his final French Open in 2022
Last May, Simon announced he would be retiring after the 2022 season.
In his final season, Simon wanted to make one final appearance at the French Open and Paris Masters. At the French Open, Simon upset Pablo Carreno Busta and also beat Steve Johnson before losing to Marin Cilic. At the Paris Masters - which was Simon's final tournament - Simon upset Andy Murray and Taylor Fritz before losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
"The goal with playing Roland and Bercy was to enjoy the public one last time. For a match. Maybe two. Maybe three. You gave me great emotions this year, probably the greatest in my career. We play tennis only for that. Thanks. At the beginning, maybe I should have played more for that.
When you're young, you have goals, you think for yourself. And when you grow, you understand it's the only point. I wish I did that before," Simon said after concluding his Paris run. Simon competed at the French Open and Paris Masters after being given a main draw wildcard.
"Thanks to the French Tennis Federation. You gave me my chances for the wildcards. You gave me the chance to show it a last time. Without you I couldn't even play these matches, on the courts I love, with this public. It was so important to me," Simon noted.