Gaël Monfils loses first-round match in final French Open appearance

Gaël Monfils was eliminated in the first round of the French Open on Monday after losing to fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0. The match marked the end of Monfils' 19 appearances at Roland Garros across a 23-year career. He received a standing ovation from spectators after the defeat.

Monfils reached the second week of the tournament six times. He advanced to the quarterfinals in 2009 and 2014 and reached the semifinals in 2008, where he lost to Roger Federer. His notable matches at the event include contests against David Ferrer in 2011, Andy Murray and Fabio Fognini in 2014, Pablo Cuevas in 2015, and Sebastian Baez in 2023.

Monfils is the final member of the group known as the Four Musketeers to retire. The others—Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, and Gilles Simon—have already ended their careers. He began his connection to the venue as a young player at the national training center and competed at the French Open through multiple stages of his professional career.

" — Le Monde, May 26, 2026 Monfils has stated he will retire at the end of the 2026 season.