At 38 years old, Gael Monfils has defied the odds, kicking off 2025 in electrifying form—but his momentum has hit an unfortunate roadblock.
The French veteran, who silenced doubters with an unbelievable start to the season, has now been forced to withdraw from the Marseille ATP 250 due to a right quadriceps injury.
And while Monfils remains optimistic about a swift return, he admits that at his age, one serious injury could mean the end of his career.
“At my age, a serious injury could mean the instant end of my career,” Monfils stated.
“Unfortunately, I am forced to skip this event. I will go to Doha in the next few days to see if I can recover in time for the start of that tournament.”
After a sensational start to the year, will this injury derail one of the most inspiring comeback stories in tennis?
Monfils’ Incredible Start to 2025 – Proving the Doubters Wrong
At an age when most players have long retired or faded into irrelevance, Monfils has shocked the tennis world with his sheer brilliance.
🔥 Brisbane – Battled against Novak Djokovic, showing his competitive fire.
🏆 Auckland Champion – Won the ATP 250 title, dropping just one set all week.
🎾 Australian Open Magic – Produced a masterclass against Taylor Fritz, exposing the American’s weaknesses with tactical brilliance.
His third-round victory over Fritz was one of the highlights of the tournament, proving that experience and strategy still hold weight against younger, more powerful opponents.
“La Monf” used his changes of pace to force Fritz into uncomfortable positions, dismantling his game with pure tennis IQ.
But just as fans started believing in a deep run, cruel fate struck.
The Australian Open Setback – Monfils’ Body Gives Out
Monfils’ run in Melbourne ended in heartbreak, as he was forced to retire due to cramping against Ben Shelton in the round of 16.
😢 A brutal moment for a player who gave everything.
🙌 Received a standing ovation from the Aussie crowd, who recognized his remarkable effort.
⏳ Left the tournament with hope—but also questions about his body’s durability.
At 38 years old, Monfils knows he is playing against time—and with this latest quadriceps injury, the question becomes:
Can he recover in time to maintain this incredible form?
The Injury Update – What’s Next for Monfils?
🔴 Marseille ATP 250 – Withdrawn (Right quadriceps injury)
🟠 Doha ATP 250 – Possible Return (Will reassess in the coming days)
Monfils was desperate to play in front of his home fans, but he knows risking a long-term injury at this stage of his career could be catastrophic.
With his career potentially hanging on his body’s ability to recover, all eyes are now on whether he will be fit in time for Doha.
Can Monfils Keep the Dream Alive?
Monfils’ 2025 campaign started like a fairytale, but now, his body has thrown an unwelcome challenge his way.
✔ He’s proven he still has the talent to compete at the highest level.
✔ He’s still one of the most entertaining players on the planet.
✔ But can his body keep up?
Monfils isn’t done yet—but the clock is ticking.
Will he return to form in Doha, or is this injury the beginning of the end?
