Gael Monfils: I'm not even sure that I have the level to win matches

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• ATP Tennis

Gael Monfils admits he is "very far" from his desired level following his Banja Luka exit. Monfils, a former world No 6, suffered a 6-4 6-3 defeat to Jiri Lehecka in the Banja Luka first round. Monfils, 36, was out of action for six months before making his comeback from injury at the Indian Wells Masters.

Since returning to action, Monfils is 0-4. "I'm not far, I'm very far from that level. I'm not even sure that I really have the level to win matches. For the moment, I'm far from winning matches. We have to go back to work, continue," Monfils told L'Equipe.

Monfils : "Je ne suis pas loin, je suis très loin de ce niveau-là. Je ne suis même pas sûr que j'ai vraiment le niveau pour gagner des matches. Pour l'instant, je suis loin de gagner des matches. Il faut repartir au travail, continuer."https://t.co/W1mENgkBgp — Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) April 20, 2023

Monfils routed by Lehecka in straight sets

Monfils made a slow start to the match against Jiri Lehecka as the Frenchman lost his serve in the very first game of the match.

Up by an early break, Lehecka held on to his serve for the remainder of the first set to clinch the opener. Early in the second set, Monfils was able to serve out his opening two service games and have a 2-1 lead through the first three games of the match.

But then, Monfils shut down for the next couple of games as Lehecka claimed back-to-back breaks in the fifth and seven games to open a 5-2 lead. Down by a set and two breaks, Monfils refused to quit as he managed to get one break back in the eighth game and cut the deficit to 5-3.

In the ninth game - when Monfils was serving to stay in the match - Lehecka earned his third break of the set to complete a two-set win over Monfils. Previously, Monfils suffered a straight-set defeat to Jordan Thompson in Indian Wells.

In Miami, Monfils was forced to retire against Ugo Humbert due to a wrist injury. Monfils also played at the Phoenix Challenger, where he was beaten in the first round by Alexander Shevchenko. It remains to be seen if Monfils can find a bit of form and rhythm in his next couple of tournaments.