Gael Monfils dreams of one big win
Gael Monfils (ATP No. 18) doesn't need 20 Grand Slam wins, he says. But he doesn't give up hope.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Feb 08, 2022, 03:16 pm
During his career, Gael Monfils was regarded as a sports fanatic who was always closer to the trick shot than the most tactically sensible one. But that Monfils also dreams of big victories and not just from the spectacular tweener: he put that on record at the Australian Open.
In any case, Melbourne seems to be a place for Monfils where many thoughts race through his head. Last year he had tearfully worked through his bad time on the court, after the Corona lockdown he was in a deep playful crisis, from which he has now freed himself with coach Günter Bresnik. At this year's appearance "down under" he offered Matteo Berrettini great resistance in the quarter-finals, missing the semi-finals in five sets. And with that possibly more.
Gael Monfils: Just this once...
Because that's what Monfils dreams of, the one big tournament he would win. "I don't lose faith in it," he said afterwards. "I only need the one run." He will not win 20 majors, not an issue for the French. "I only need this one time. That's what I'm working for. And I still believe in it."
Monfils was already sixth in the world, he reached two semifinals in Grand Slam tournaments, in 2008 at the French Open, in 2016 at the US Open, where he lost to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Monfils: When it came down to it, the wrong decision was always made
The greats of sport are the best at making the best decisions in the important moments. If he plays in a Roland Garros quarter-final himself and it gets tight, if it's windy or sunny - "I have to make the right decision," said Monfils. So: either don't put too much pressure on or you should. And it was precisely at such moments that he stumbled throughout his career, says Monfils, "I never made a good decision there."
And he's fine with it. But, he explained with wide, wondrous eyes: "I believe that one time it can 'click' for me. One time before I stop. I believe that I will make it one time. This is mine Faith."
He recently showed that Monfils is on the right track; The fact that the cooperation with Günter Bresnik also fits in terms of his attitude reveals the length of time in which he and the Austrian star coach have now been doing things together.
Will it "click" once? It would be wished for Monfils, meanwhile 35 years old. And it would be one of those great tennis stories too.