Latest news with #Monfils
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Kyrgios is back, beaten but finishes the match
Nick Kyrgios has come through his first match since March, and just his sixth this year, completing around an hour on court in a men's doubles defeat at the ATP Tour's DC Open. Partnering French veteran Gael Monfils, and playing in front of NBA star Kevin Durant, Kyrgios had a tough opening draw against third seeds Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys. Monfils was broken in the opening game and while Kyrgios held his first service match both players were then broken to lose the first set 6-2. The second was much the same. Monfils being broken early and Kyrgios late as they dropped it 6-2 again. Nonetheless, just being on court was something of an achievement for the 30-year-old Australian who has been dogged by injury since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022. Kyrgios last played doubles at the Australian Open in January, retiring in the second set of his opening match with himself and Thanasi Kokkinakis 7-5 3-2 down to fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic. He subsequently played three singles matches, retiring when 7-6 (8-6) 3-0 down in the first round at Indian Wells in March. The wrist he had an operation on in September 2023 was still an issue. However, he reached the second round at the Miami Open later in the month, beating McKenzie McDonald for his first singles win since 2022. In the second round he lost to Karen Khachanov and this outing in the US capital was his first match since, as injuries continued to be an an issue. Kyrgio has a current ATP ranking of 640, but has activated his protected ranking of 21 to be included on the official entry list for the final grand slam tournament of the year in New York. Earlier on Monday in a sweltering Washington, Chris O'Connell went down 6-3 6-2 to American Ethan Quinn, ranked five places lower at world No.82, while later, Vukic takes on big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin are also in the ATP 500 event but have received first-round byes. De Minaur told he was hoping to use the tournament as a springboard to climb the rankings ahead of the US Open. The hip injury suffered at Wimbledon 2024 meant the Australian No.1 did not play any of the hardcourt warm-ups before Flushing Meadows, so he has plenty of ranking points to gain. "It was somewhat difficult at the start of the year and mentally taxing knowing that I had zeros on my ranking because I missed Masters events," the current world No.13 said. "I knew it would be important to put myself in a good position for the back end of the year when I have little to defend, giving hope that I could gain some serious points and momentum and build on the ranking. "So going into the tail end of the year, I'm excited for the opportunity and hoping I can play good tennis and take care of my chances." Looking further ahead the Sydneysider added: "I've got the experience now. I've got the knowledge, the physicality side of things. Everything is just there for me to go out and perform. "I can really have a swing these next three or four years and really show that I'm at my peak and break through some barriers. "I'm ready to go deep into tournaments. It's just up to myself to put those results right."
Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
How a single Instagram message created one of tennis' power couples: Gael Monfils-Elina Svitolina's dreamy love story
When Gael Monfils messaged Elina Svitolina on Instagram, he wasn't just reaching out to a fellow tennis pro—he was unwittingly texting his future wife. The Frenchman and the Ukrainian star had been orbiting each other for years on tour. But it wasn't until late 2018, after Svitolina's WTA Finals win, that things clicked. What started as casual drinks in Paris turned into marriage, a daughter, and one of the sport's most visible partnerships. Their off-court relationship has only strengthened their careers and captured fans' attention worldwide. From the Gram to the grand slam: It starts with a DM The two had played the same events for years, but barely spoke. 'I had known Gael for quite some time, as we constantly participated in the same tournaments,' Svitolina stated, per People. She also mentioned that, at the time, she was in a long-term relationship. Their lack of communication came to an end after she posted a photo celebrating her Singapore victory with friends in Paris. Monfils saw it, messaged her, and invited her out. 'I posted a photo on Instagram, and Gael wrote to me. We met and could no longer part,' she said in a 2019 interview, per People. From there, things moved quickly. Wedding bells and baby Skaï: A new perspective In April 2021, Monfils proposed in the snow-capped mountains. Three months later, they tied the knot in custom Off-White outfits designed by Virgil Abloh's team. Svitolina wore a beautiful cream and white pantsuit with a sheer purple skirt. Monfils matched her in style with a lavender suit and floral pocket square. Their daughter Skaï was born in October 2022. Monfils called the night of her birth 'the most amazing night of [his] life.' Since then, both stars have talked openly about how becoming parents changed everything. 'My dream is to have an unbelievable family,' Monfils told the press in January 2025. 'Tennis is cool, but my dream is out there.' Not long after their daughter's birth, Svitolina returned to tennis in 2023 and stormed her way back into the top tier, reaching the Wimbledon semis and winning in Rouen. Meanwhile, her husband Monfils made history in Auckland this year, becoming the oldest ATP title-winner in nearly 50 years.
Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Monfils finds philosophy after five-set Wimbledon exit
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 3, 2025 France's Gael Monfils in action during his second round match against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq LONDON - Tennis showman Gael Monfils bowed out of Wimbledon in five sets on Friday — but the Frenchman was more sage than sour as he reflected on a career that has danced between the sublime and the spectacular. The 38-year-old fell 6-4 1-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 to Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in a match carried over from last night, yet emerged from defeat with the perspective that comes from two decades in professional tennis and a life now enriched beyond the baseline. "I've been fortunate enough to be a tennis player in such a big sport," former top-10 player Monfils said after his exit, before recalling his first intoxicating moment on a tennis court more than 20 years ago. "A moment that stands out for me is 2004, my first Bercy (Paris Masters)," he said of playing before a raucous French crowd. "Unreal energy ... that was a special moment." While Monfils admitted he struggled with conditions when play resumed at Wimbledon on Friday after an overnight suspension, he refused to indulge in any what-ifs. "To tell you that I would have won the match is too much. I don't really know. I wish I could win this match today, but that's sport. I'm going to rest a couple of days and go back on court and try to be ready for the U.S. tour." More revealing, though, was his evolved view of the sport's place in his world. Married to fellow player Elina Svitolina and now a father, Monfils offered a refreshing take on priorities. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church "Tennis is part of my life, but tennis is not my life," he said. "My life outside of tennis is my real life." The Frenchman smiled when he was asked what it meant to be on the tennis tour together with Ukrainian Svitolina. "It's a tough question in a way, because you see my wife as a tennis player; I see my wife as a wife. It's completely different. But of course, it's great that we can share the same passion. I'm lucky enough to raise a child, and hopefully we'll get more someday ... just grateful every day." REUTERS
The Star
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Tennis-Monfils finds philosophy after five-set Wimbledon exit
Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 3, 2025 France's Gael Monfils in action during his second round match against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq LONDON (Reuters) -Tennis showman Gael Monfils bowed out of Wimbledon in five sets on Friday — but the Frenchman was more sage than sour as he reflected on a career that has danced between the sublime and the spectacular. The 38-year-old fell 6-4 1-6 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 to Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in a match carried over from last night, yet emerged from defeat with the perspective that comes from two decades in professional tennis and a life now enriched beyond the baseline. "I've been fortunate enough to be a tennis player in such a big sport," former top-10 player Monfils said after his exit, before recalling his first intoxicating moment on a tennis court more than 20 years ago. "A moment that stands out for me is 2004, my first Bercy (Paris Masters)," he said ofplaying before a raucous French crowd. "Unreal energy ... that was a special moment." While Monfils admitted he struggled with conditions when play resumed at Wimbledon on Friday after an overnight suspension, he refused to indulge in any what-ifs. "To tell you that I would have won the match is too much. I don't really know. I wish I could win this match today, but that's sport. I'm going to rest a couple of days and go back on court and try to be ready for the U.S. tour." More revealing, though, was his evolved view of the sport's place in his world. Married to fellow player Elina Svitolina and now a father, Monfils offered a refreshing take on priorities. "Tennis is part of my life, but tennis is not my life," he said. "My life outside of tennis is my real life." The Frenchman smiled when he was asked what it meant to be on the tennis tour together with Ukrainian Svitolina. "It's a tough question in a way, because you see my wife as a tennis player; I see my wife as a wife. It's completely different. But of course, it's great that we can share the same passion. I'm lucky enough to raise a child, and hopefully we'll get more someday ... just grateful every day." (Reporting by Ossian Shine; Editing by Ken Ferris)
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Wimbledon picks: Gael Monfils vs. Ugo Humbert odds, prediction
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. It's not every day that you'll see an English crowd get fully behind a Frenchman, but that's what will happen with Gael Monfils at Wimbledon this year. Monfils, 38, has been a favorite amongst tennis fans for two decades, but nobody is sure how many more tournaments the Parisian has left in his career. What we do know is that he'll be an underdog against his countryman, Ugo Humbert, on Tuesday at Wimbledon. Humbert, the No. 18 seed this year, should be the type of player who has success at Wimbledon, but he's yet to make much noise at the All England Club. He's been to the Round of 16 twice (2019, 2024), but that's as deep as he made it at any Grand Slam. Monfils hasn't done much damage at Wimbledon, either, but he should fancy this matchup. Humbert is an aggressive player with a big serve, and he relies on winning quick points. As a defensive maestro, Monfils can frustrate players like Humbert with his athleticism and ability to extend rallies, forcing his opponents into mistakes. It's frustrating enough dealing with a player who can defend like Monfils, but it becomes even more infuriating when a full-throated crowd is backing that player to win every point. The environment and stylistic matchup favor Monfils, making this match much closer to a coin flip than the odds imply. The Play: Monfils +205 (FanDuel) Why Trust New York Post Betting Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
