Watch: Monfils Living With Legends, Major Quest

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Watch: Monfils Living With Legends, Major Quest

Gael Monfils doesn't need to read Great Expectations to relive the best of times and worst of times.

He sees his ATP career as example.

Watch: Monfils Makes Winning Return in Washington, D.C.

After winning his first match since May at the Citi Open last night, Monfils said the best players make the quest of capturing a Grand Slam the worst possible challenge.

"When I came on the Tour my main goal, still now, was to win the French Open," Monfils told the media in Washington, D.C. "And actually when I look back who won the French Open when I played is only the same guy (Rafael Nadal), actually.

"And then I was like okay I really love the US Open and actually it was Roger (Federer who won it) and actually he won everything else. Then Novak came and just win everything. I think it was a tough time, but now maybe it's more open."

Monfils said Djokovic, Federer and Nadal are more than Grand Slam champions, they're "real legends."

"I think we not only have big players we have some legends with us. We have real legends," Monfils said. "I think it's tough to get some space but I think guys like Stan (Wawrinka), Juan Martin (del Potro), Marin (Cilic) they had the opportunity and the played hard and they took the opportunity. When you have the opportunity you need to be lucky enough, but you need to play your chance 100 percent because you won't have much.

"And I think I had some. I had some. I been close and been unlucky. I think twice against Roger. Big time in New York (at the 2014 US Open) when Marin won it I had match points against Roger in quarterfinals."

Despite Big Four dominance, Monfils believes he can break through and capture a Grand Slam.

French Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah, the 1983 Roland Garros champion, is the last Frenchman to win a Grand Slam singles title. The 29-year-old Monfils believes he still has a major in him.

"I still believe I can win one big one," Monfils said. "I still believe that I can do it. And I will do it."

Photo credit: Christopher Levy

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