Gael Monfils reveals factor that will likely decide for how long he remains pro

• Tennis News
• ATP Tennis

Gael Monfils, 37, has indicated that he will be open to playing pro tennis until he is 40 if his daughter Skai can travel with him. In 2022 October, Monfils and his wife Elina Svitolina welcomed their first child. After missing out on the majority of the 2022 season due to injuries and setbacks, Monfils returned to action in March and his goal is to at least play until the 2024 Paris Olympics. “Whatever happens, I want to play until the Olympic Games in 2024 and after that, the real goal would be to be able to play until I’m 40.

To be able to compete until I’m 40,” Monfils said during his conversation with Benoit Paire on UTS's All on the Table, via Tennis Majors.

Monfils hints he may play until he is 40

Last year, Monfils and Svitolina were spending lots of time together at home.

During that period, Monfils says he lived some of the "most precious moments" of his life. Now, Monfils acknowledges that his life changed with the arrival of baby Skai and that he needs to think of her in every move he makes.

“I wish I would (retire late). My life has changed. First, I had a daughter. And second, the injury I had, the foot injury. It calmed me down, you see. I was about to feel well again when I had the wrist. At the end of the day, you remember the moments you had when you were out.

I lived precious moments I couldn’t imagine I would live. They lead you to reflect on yourself. You think about other things you can do after tennis. But you see, the thing is that when you are deep into your life on tour, you don’t really feel the effort.

When you stop for months, Everything is much harder. Mentally - so hard. You know, my daughter - she lives her best moments now. I feel like when she will be a little older, it will be better for me if she can travel with me. If that’s the case, maybe I’ll play as long as I want," Monfils said.