Victoria Azarenka sends message to Gael Monfils following his retirement from tennis, ‘there is nobody quite like you’

To the delight of many, Monfils was honoured at the Paris Masters on Tuesday.

“I’m not going to hide that this is a very difficult moment to say goodbye,” Monfils said in French during the celebrations at the Plenitude Arena. “The most beautiful thing that this world has given me is you, the wonderful crowd. It’s not easy at all, but I would really like to thank you all.”

Victoria Azarenka, a two-time major singles champion, has since paid tribute to the legendary French superstar.

Victoria Azarenka’s poignant message to Gael Monfils

“Gaël, I’ve been lucky enough to know you since I was 14 years old,” Azarenka, a former world number one, wrote in a post on her Instagram story.

“And the way our friendship started still makes me laugh. I remember you in the cafeteria at Wimbledon, before the junior final, practicing your winning dance moves. For about an hour and a half, in front of everybody and you were trying to decide which celebration you were going to do. This spin? That spin? Something else entirely?

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“I remember looking at you thinking, “Oh my God, this guy is absolutely crazy.” But what struck me, even back then, was that there was nothing arrogant or cocky about it. It was just pure joy, confidence, and this incredible energy that you brought everywhere you went. And somehow, from that moment,
we became really good friends.

“I’ve been a fan of your tennis, your passion, your creativity, and your ability to make people fall in love with the game. But more than anything, I’ve always been a fan of you as a person. Because you genuinely have one of the biggest and kindest hearts I’ve ever known.

“You have this beautiful ability to fall in love with life. With people, with ideas, with whatever new adventure catches your attention. I’ve seen Gaël the tennis player, Gaël the DJ, Gaël the magician, and God knows how many other versions of Gaël.

“But one thing has always remained the same: your passion for bringing joy to people. I actually recorded a retirement video for you a few years ago. Apparently, you decided you weren’t quite done yet, so that video never saw the light of day. But there was a story I told in it that I want to share now, because to me,
it says everything about who you are.

Gael Monfils’ best performances at Grand Slam events

• Australian Open: Quarter-finals [2016, 2022]
• Roland Garros: Semi-finals [2008]
• Wimbledon: Fourth round [2018]
• US Open: Semi-finals [2016]

“Years ago, when I lived in LA, you came to visit, and we went to a public tennis court just to mess around, play some silly games, and have fun. At one point, you warned me, “Vika, be careful, it’s slippery back there.” And I confidently replied, “I don’t play that far back.” Naturally, about two minutes later, I slipped and fell. We were dying laughing.

“On the court next to us was an older gentleman practicing alone with a ball machine. He clearly wasn’t enjoying our little circus and started yelling at us for being loud. We were confused and a little annoyed. We weren’t bothering anyone intentionally. We were just having fun.

“And then you did something I’ll never forget. Instead of arguing with him or getting defensive, you walked over and asked if he was okay. You offered to help him pick up his tennis balls. And then you started hitting with him.

“Just like that. Within minutes, this man who had been so upset with us was smiling, laughing, and enjoying himself. The entire atmosphere changed. And you didn’t do any of it because you wanted to prove a point. You weren’t trying to impress anyone. He didn’t even know who you were. You simply chose kindness.

“That moment has stayed with me all these years because, to me, that’s who Gael Monfils really is. Someone who can change the energy of a room, a tennis court, or a person’s day simply by being himself.

“And when I see the enormous amount of love and appreciation you’re receiving from people around the world, I know exactly why. It’s not just because of the incredible shots, the impossible athleticism, the spectacular entertainment, or the unforgettable matches.

“It’s because you made people feel something. You gave people your passion, your attention, your joy, and your heart. And now the world is giving that love right back to you. Every bit of it is deserved.

“The tennis world is going to miss one of the greatest entertainers this sport has ever seen. And I will certainly miss watching you create your magic on the court. But what makes me happy is knowing that our friendship doesn’t end with your career. It just continues in a different chapter. And knowing you, I’m sure there will be another 15 versions of Gaël to discover.

“I’m so proud of you, my friend. Not only for the incredible career you’ve built, but for the person you’ve remained through all of it. As a player, a father, and a friend. The world loves you so much, Gaël. And so do I.

“Congratulations on an extraordinary career. There’s nobody quite like you. And there never will be. All my love, Vika.”

Gael Monfils’ ATP Tour debut

Monfils turned professional in 2004 and made his ATP debut at the Open de Moselle in France.

Monfils, a wildcard at the event, defeated Xavier Malisse and Olivier Patience before losing to fellow French youngster Richard Gasquet.

Three weeks on from his debut, Monfils competed in the Paris Masters – his first Masters 1000 event.

The teenage prodigy defeated former world number four Thomas Enqvist, before losing to two-time major champion Gael Monfils.

Monfils was also extremely successful in junior events throughout 2004. The Frenchman won three consecutive singles titles – Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon – and reached the Australian Open semi-finals in doubles.

Monfils was prevented from completing the junior Calendar Grand Slam by Viktor Troicki, who beat the French starlet in the US Open third round.

”I want to thank you,” Monfils told the crowd at the Paris Masters on Tuesday. “I’ve been a professional for 22 years. 22 years of an extraordinary story that I could not have dreamed of. If today I was able to achieve my dream, and it’s thanks to all of you.’

”I’m very proud of what I did. I was able to sit down – for a few hard weeks, I won’t hide it – but I was able to sit down and reflect on what I accomplished.

”I did the maximum, and I’m very happy and at peace with what I achieved. I told myself, ‘What a journey, what luck.’ There was some work, but a lot of achievements and a lot of luck.”

Monfils retires a 13-time ATP champion and one of tennis’ greatest ever entertainers.

He also retires as one of the most loved individuals in the history of the sport.

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