Gael Monfils honored at Roland Garros ahead of retirement

An emotional celebration unfolded on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros on Thursday as French tennis star Gael Monfils was honored ahead of his final appearance at the French Open. The special exhibition event, titled "Gael Friends," blended tennis, music, and heartfelt tributes to mark the end of his two-decade professional career.

Monfils, 39, shared the court with his wife, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina, as they won a lively mixed doubles exhibition match filled with trick shots and playful exchanges. The event featured an array of top players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka, and retired French compatriots Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.

The evening's emotional peak came as Monfils lingered on the clay to absorb a final ovation from the Paris crowd, leaving Svitolina visibly moved. Earlier, in a tribute written to their daughter, Svitolina had described her husband as a "magician." In a speech after the match, Monfils thanked the fans and reflected on his career. He stated that while he was never quite good enough to win a Grand Slam, he believed he had won something more important: a career...