PARIS — On a poignant day in the heart of the French Open, Stan Wawrinka and Gaël Monfils said their farewells, bowing out in the first round on Monday.
The clock approached midnight as Monfils’ journey ended with a hard-fought loss to compatriot Hugo Gaston, concluding at 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0.
For the 39-year-old Monfils, this marks his last dance at Roland Garros, echoing the sentiment for 41-year-old Wawrinka, who faced Jesper de Jong and succumbed to a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 amidst the blistering heat.
Both legends have announced their retirement plans at the end of this season.
They first graced the courts of the French Open 21 years ago, paving their paths in a sport that has seen them grow.
Wawrinka claimed three Grand Slam titles, while Monfils, although yet to reach a major final, enjoys enduring popularity among fans.
As Monfils made his entrance onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, chants of “Ga-el! Ga-el!” filled the air, rallying the crowd’s support. His mastery was evident as he demanded applause for thrilling winners, raising his arm in triumph when he bagged the third set.
However, fatigue was evident; he often hunched, hands on knees, after battling back from two sets down, running low on energy against an opponent 14 years his junior.
In a touching on-court ceremony, Monfils was celebrated alongside former Davis Cup teammates Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, and Gilles Simon, receiving accolades from his peers.
“You were a true inspiration to me—a remarkable athlete,” said two-time reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in a video tribute featuring numerous players. “But above all, a wonderful person off the court.”
Monfils expressed heartfelt gratitude towards his wife, Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina, who listened with tears in her eyes.
“Without you, I might not be standing here tonight,” Monfils shared emotionally. “Eight beautiful years together… You blessed me with our daughter. I love you.”
Wawrinka’s journey ended at the hands of de Jong, who sealed the match with a fierce forehand winner. He encouraged applause for Wawrinka, whose face glowed red from the heat of the day, as temperatures soared to 33 degrees C (91 F).
“It’s tough to say goodbye here,” said an emotional Wawrinka. “Roland Garros inspired my journey to become a tennis player.”
He received a warm ovation at Court Simonne-Mathieu, where he was set to confront rising star Arthur Fils, who withdrew due to a hip injury.
Wawrinka is aware that the farewell will not be easy, as he still has Wimbledon and the U.S. Open on his horizon.
“For over 20 years, these emotions have been my companion; you never want it to end,” Wawrinka remarked. “I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport.”
His remarkable run to the 2015 title saw him overcome the heavy favorite Novak Djokovic in the final after defeating another legend, Roger Federer, in the quarterfinals. That year, Wawrinka was not only known for his powerful backhand but also for his striking pink-checkered shorts.
Those vibrant shorts complemented his buoyant persona, solidified further as he celebrated with champagne long into the night. However, beneath that jovial image lay a fiercely committed athlete.
Hugged on court by tournament director Amelie Mauresmo, Wawrinka watched a tribute video showcasing his illustrious career, featuring heartfelt messages from legends like Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, rising star Jannik Sinner, reigning champion Alcaraz, and Monfils himself.
Wawrinka, at the peak of his physical prowess, showcased remarkable stamina and was one of the few to defeat Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, and Andy Murray in Grand Slam history.
His major titles were earned against world No. 1 players, including a formidable victory over Nadal at the 2014 Australian Open and another against Djokovic at the 2016 U.S. Open. However, Nadal claimed victory in a straight-sets match when they clashed in the 2017 French Open final.
Wawrinka also achieved Olympic glory in 2008 in doubles alongside Federer and contributed to Switzerland’s Davis Cup triumph in 2014.
“You are a legend of our sport,” Monfils praised while reminiscing about his recent first-round exit at the Australian Open in January.
Monfils reached the semifinals at the 2008 French Open and made it to the quarterfinals three more times, promising a stellar career following his junior victories at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open in 2004.
Yet, he never clinched a title beyond the ATP 500 level from his 13 titles, falling short in 22 finals, including three at Masters events. His flair and charisma on the court often overshadowed his less-than-stellar results.
“One of the most likable and entertaining figures,” praised Djokovic. “There’s just no one who doesn’t adore you, Gaël. That in itself, is your greatest triumph.”
