His last victory on the circuit dates from a carefree era that had not been marked by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the wake of two titles in Montpellier, then Rotterdam, Gaël Monfils had dominated Richard Gasquet in the quarter-finals in Dubai in February 2020, before losing to Novak Djokovic 2-6, 7-6, 6-1.
Since then he has chained six consecutive defeats.
The last in the 1st round of the Australian Open against the Finnish Emil Ruusuvuori (in straight sets) had plunged him into abysses of sadness.
Confused, struggling to put the pieces of his game back in place, destroyed by the repeated lack of success, Gaël Monfils had in tears explained his mistakes, his difficulties, exposed the fragility of a player in distress.
At the time of resuming the path of competition, the French n ° 1 with a delicate physique is again forced to take a break.
After Richard Gasquet, package in Monte-Carlo "following complications related to Covid", Gaël Monfils announced on Twitter: "I have been feeling discomfort at the bottom of the calf for ten days and it has amplified yesterday afternoon (Saturday) during my last training.
I had an ultrasound which confirmed the extent of the injury.
I see myself in the obligation to postpone my return to competition.
However, I remain positive and optimistic for the future and will start today on a specific treatment protocol to come back as quickly as possible. ”
pic.twitter.com/C7wV1kDoGr
- Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) April 11, 2021
The will to bounce back seems to accompany the one who was to face Pablo Andujar in the first round in Monte-Carlo.
But Gaël Monfils (34) did not specify a start date.
The challenge of rebuilding the game, confidence and success is a long and risky road that he has often taken.
He knows the difficulty.
In recent months, on the circuit, Stan Wawrinka, Juan Martin Del Potro, Andy Murray and Roger Federer have launched themselves, after injuries and operations, in the uncertain challenge.
Gaël Monfils is working on it once again, with Roland-Garros (May 30-June 13) necessarily in the back of his mind.
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