I'm at the top of my game and he slapped me," Monfils reflects on his 2016 final against Nadal

The year 2016 was one of the best in Gaël Monfils' career, featuring two finals, one title (Rotterdam), and a Grand Slam semifinal. These performances allowed him to reach his highest ranking (6th) and compete at the sport’s highest levels, as seen in his Monte-Carlo final against Nadal.

Appearing on Kevin Ferreira’s podcast, the Frenchman revealed the immense challenge of defeating one of the Big 3:

"Everyone told me: 'This year is your year, Rafa isn’t playing as well.' And then I told my team: 'I’m coming in hot, I’m in the final, I’m here, I’m ready.' You watch it—it’s the best clay-court match I’ve ever played, but I lost the final 6-0 in the third set, despite playing an extraordinary match.

Nadal on another level? GOAT! He destroyed me physically. I gave everything, I couldn’t have played better tennis-wise. I was there, hitting insane forehands, backhands… I’ve dreamed of having that backhand my whole life. We were mano a mano, 7-5 for him, 7-5 for me, but people don’t realize. I was drained, and then the guy just accelerates: 6-0. I’m at the peak of my craft, and he slapped me—but it was beautiful.