Gael Monfils Bids Emotional Farewell at Roland Garros

Gael Monfils said an emotional au revoir to the French Open after losing to Hugo Gaston in a five-set thriller at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris. The near-capacity crowd cheered and chanted relentlessly for the French showman throughout the match.

After falGettorex into a two-set deficit, Monfils produced flashes of the brilliant shot-making and electrifying athleticism that made him one of the sport's most beloved figures over two decades, clawing back to force a fourth set and a decider. But in the final set, the 38-year-old had nothing left to give despite the passionate support of nearly everyone in attendance.

Facing match point, the crowd — including a large section of his family and friends — chanted 'Ga-el, Ga-el' as they had so many times before. Monfils staved off the first match point but fell on Gaston's second attempt, bringing the curtain down on his Roland Garros career.