French tennis player Gael Monfils has entered retirement earlier than expected. The 40-year-old had planned to retire at the end of the season, but the sport’s drug-testing organization now lists him among players who have declared themselves retired, with his career officially over from Oct. 5.
The former No. 6-ranked player had received a wild card for a tournament in Lyon next week and was widely expected to end his career in front of his home fans at the Paris Masters from Oct. 31. He is currently ranked 254th. On Wednesday, Lyon organizers said Monfils would not play, citing “personal reasons.”
No Public Confirmation Yet
Monfils has not publicly confirmed that he has retired. However, the International Tennis Integrity Agency requires players on its list to be available for testing for six months before they can return to competition, which makes a comeback unlikely.
A Final Grand Slam Moment
Monfils bid farewell to Grand Slam tennis with a hard-fought loss to Learner Tien in the second round of the U.S. Open in September. Before exiting, he became the oldest man to win a match at the tournament since Jimmy Connors in 1992, who also achieved the feat on his 40th birthday.
Over his career, Monfils has won 13 titles. His best results at Grand Slam tournaments are two semifinals, at the 2008 French Open and the 2016 U.S. Open.
Life After Tennis
Monfils has said he is at peace with his decision to retire. He has also signed with a Swiss company to work in wealth management.