Monfils and Mpetshi Perricard withdraw from Montpellier tournament

The ATP 250 tournament in Montpellier loses some of its French headliners.

Gaël Monfils and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who were scheduled to play at the Montpellier tournament from January 26 to February 2, have had to withdraw from the Hérault region.

The former, 38, has made an excellent start to the season with a title in Auckland and a place in the last 16 of the Australian Open.

However, Monfils, who defeated world number 4 Taylor Fritz in the third round, finished his match against Shelton completely exhausted and was forced to withdraw.

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who was eliminated in the first round in Melbourne by Gaël Monfils, will not be taking part in the Open Occitanie either.

The official reason has not been confirmed, but he may well rest before joining the French squad that will face Brazil in the Davis Cup in Orléans in early February.

These are not the only withdrawals from the tournament. Another French player, Alexandre Muller, will not be in Montpellier next week.

Still competing at the Australian Open, Lorenzo Sonego has also withdrawn, as have Spanish players Pedro Martinez and Roberto Carballes Baena.

Two French players have also withdrawn. Hugo Gaston and Lucas Pouille enter the main draw directly.