Mahut regrets the "end of this golden generation" with Monfils' retirement announcement next year
Nicolas Mahut shared his initial reaction after Gaël Monfils announced his retirement, scheduled for 2026.
2026 will be an emotionally charged year for Gaël Monfils. When he turns 40, the Frenchman, former top 10 player and winner of 13 career titles, announced this Wednesday, October 1st that he would retire at the end of next season.
For the occasion, his three close friends Richard Gasquet, Gilles Simon and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga have already sent him messages, before the four players are reunited in the coming months for a well-deserved celebration of the career of the last of the Four Musketeers still active.
Another French player who crossed paths with "La Monf'" during his career, particularly during Davis Cup matches, is Nicolas Mahut. The former world number one in doubles also reacted to his compatriot's retirement next year.
"It's the end of this golden generation, it's a page turning. We expected it, it's official now, we need to enjoy Monf's final moments on court. He's announcing it well in advance, like Richard (Gasquet) did, we'll be able to savor it.
He'll receive beautiful tributes at Roland-Garros and the Rolex Paris Masters and I think he'll also get wild-cards in big tournaments. Beyond his monumental career, he's a showman.
There aren't many like him. It's a huge loss! At Roland-Garros and Bercy, there was always enormous excitement. When Jo (Tsonga) won, the crowd would get fired up too, but with Gaël, there was anticipation, it was electric.
He was the Parisian. With him, the players' box was always full: he'd request sixty seats. The night sessions at Roland, they're made for him! It's very rare that I change the channel when he plays, I want to watch him.
During my first Davis Cup selection (in 2015 against Germany), he was there. I was stressed. We hadn't talked much, I had exchanged much more with Gilles (Simon) who helped me with how to emotionally approach this first time.
But I remember that Gaël, a mountain of a man, through his mere presence, through his posture, gave me a lot of serenity and confidence. The hardest thing with Gaël was getting him to come to Davis Cup, but once he was there, he delivered.
It's difficult to say, but I think he deserved and could have had an even better career and won bigger titles. At certain moments, he wasn't far from it," Mahut thus stated for L'Équipe.
