Excitement that typically precedes Gael Monfils Roland Garros return has been replaced by ennui.
The Paris native concedes he's "a bit sad" by the clay-court Grand Slam capping attendance at 1,000 fans per day due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
More: Roland Garros Reduces Crowd Capacity
Initially, Roland Garros planned to permit 11,500 spectators, but reduced that number to 5,000 recently before its latest limitation to 1,000 fans.
“From the very outset of the public health crisis that our country is experiencing, the French Tennis Federation has consistently worked closely with government departments, to determine how to organize the tournament in the current situation,” the tournament said. “It deeply regrets these new restrictions.”
Explosive showman Monfils, who often energizes himself through the crowd's electricity, said the atmosphere is a bit of a bummer.
"To be honest with you, I'm a bit sad. It's an empty stadium," Monfils said. "The weather is not so nice so far. It's not a big change so far. Definitely will have to come from myself.
"The word is going to be harsh, but this will not be the same tournament that I have played before and that I dreamed of, it will necessarily be different in the place and in my favorite place. We cannot say that this will be the tournament where we arrive in a crazy atmosphere with supporters, magic, big magic, it will be different. A favorite tournament, but in a different way."
A 2008 Roland Garros semifinalist, Monfils has reached The French Open fourth round or better in four of his last five appearances.
The Paris native said the power of the people pumps him up.
"I would prefer 5000 people in the stadium with more interaction," Monfils said. "It's better to have people!
"The atmosphere is completely different and we will do it with the means at hand. Obviously, it would be weird to have perhaps a large stadium with just 1000 people, if there are 1000 people!"
French Open Coronavirus safety protocol requires players to stay at one of two player hotels, which has so far prevented Monfils from interacting with his most fervent fans—his family.
"Not going for a walk is not what bothers me the most; what bothers me most is not seeing my family," Monfils said. "Roland Garros is my family's home base at the end of May, early June. This year it is not possible in September, October. This is what saddens me the most not to see my family and my friends.
"It’s been a while since I saw my family. For the rest, I think that each government in each country where we are going to play has its rules. Each time it is not easy to organize the tournaments but they manage to do it anyway, it is good. Unfortunately, these are not necessarily the conditions one would dream of, but they find it difficult to organize the tournaments."
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