Djokovic on Monfils: Everybody Loves Him

Gael Monfils’ work is done at the BNP Paribas Open. The Frenchman was knocked off in three sets by Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday, but not before he earned a first-round win to become the second oldest player to win a match in tournament history.

The week prior, Monfils also became the oldest player to win a match in Acapulco history.

The 39-year-old still has a lot of good tennis left in him.

And his legacy, over two decades in the making, is incredible. Wins and losses don’t tell the story. Titles don’t either. With Monfils–one of the greatest showmen in sports history–the proof is in the entertainment.

Novak Djokovic gave praise to Monfils on Saturday at Indian Wells, elaborating fruitfully on the legend of the man they call Lamonf.

Gael is “One of the rare guys that is older than me on the tour,” Djokovic said with a smile, “with Wawrinka and Gael.”

The 24-time major champion says that the Frenchman’s lasting legacy will be defined more than just his showmanship.

“Gael now, he deserves every applause and every credit out there for not just what he has done on the tennis court and with his athleticism that was off the charts–I mean, he is one of the most athletic tennis players ever to hold the racquet, in my opinion, and one of the most exciting players to watch.

“I think there is no one who doesn’t like watching Gael play tennis because you never know what to expect. I think that’s what brought a lot of interest and also a lot of smiles to people when they watch him play.”

Djokovic made sure to highlight Monfils’ character first and foremost.

“His character features and values. He’s such a nice guy, and there is literally no one that I know in the last 20 years that has gotten into something negative or some kind of conflict with him.

“That speaks volumes about him, who he is as a person, and always [he has] had tremendous respect from all of the fellow tennis players. Everyone loves him. He deserves to play this year the way he wants to play and to go out from tennis and say good-bye in a way that he feels that it’s fit.”