This is one of the surprise transfers of the winter transfer window.
Gaël Monfils, 35 years old and world n ° 21, now plays in the Artengo team.
Since January 1, and for five years, the Parisian has been the face of the tennis branch of Decathlon in rackets, shoes and textiles.
An adventure which makes “kiffer” the tricolor n ° 1, while waiting to start its season at the tournament of Adelaide, in Australia.
Did you say Artengo?
“Obviously, I was skeptical at first, laughs Monfils, who did not know the range. I was saying
but why is nobody playing with your rackets?
In anticipation of the expiry of his contract with Wilson, the ex-No.6 at ATP tried a few models blindly last summer. And it was that of Decathlon that caught his eye.
After some technical and cosmetic adjustments and validation by his coach Gunter Bresnik, the leader of the Blues has taken the plunge. “Their responsiveness shows the power of the box,” he observes. And one thing leading to another (its partnership with Asics having also expired) has taken on the whole panoply. With a small setback for the shoes, which still require some adjustments. La Monf, which is also thinking of the aftermath, even has the idea of developing its own ball reference.
“It's cool to work with a 100% French brand,” he says.
I find it great, when I am nearing the end of my career, to bring my feelings and to “coolify” the brand.
Everyone goes to Decat, everyone loves Decat but without recognizing it, with this accessible image but not performing at a high level.
"The" Monfils "frame will cost 120 euros.
Or roughly half of a specialized brand model.
One player and two renowned players must emulate Monfils during the year.
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A preparation to validate.
Like the previous winter, “Mr. Svitolina” set sail for the south of the island of Tenerife for three weeks of work in the sun.
After declining the Davis Cup selection at the end of November, he also preferred to ignore the ATP Cup, which is currently taking place in Sydney.
“I worked really well,” he says.
I arrive here pretty well, just a little tired from this painful preparation.
I'm not putting too much pressure on this first tournament, the goal is to be in good shape in two weeks
(Editor's note: the Australian Open starts on the 17th)
.
I want to play well quickly and not wait until the middle of the year… ”In full swing at the start of 2020, the Parisian is one of the players to have been the most affected in his results by the pandemic.
"It undermined me," he blurted out.
I experienced it very badly on the personal side and the pro side.
For me the period of mid-2020 and 2021 no longer exists.
The only thing I remember from 2021 is my wedding
(Editor's note: in July)
but it was really a bad year, I don't even have words to talk about it.
We have the impression that we are less affected because we are athletic but we are all human beings.
Certain professions were very affected morally and I lived a little the same thing, with a different pressure.
"
A Covid to be avoided.
“I just had my second test after seven days in Australia, breathes Monfils.
It's super stressful.
If it's in a few hours I'll get a text and I'll be in solitary confinement, locked in my room.
Like Richard Gasquet, under house arrest for seven days in accordance with the health protocol in force in Australia for positive cases.
“It's important to get tested, but it's horrible,” he continues.
Like Richard, a lot of people are affected and asymptomatic.
It's hard because we all worked well.
I am vaccinated, I am careful, I have the mask, etc.
But tomorrow you can say thank you and goodbye and it messes up your start to the year.
"
