Paris Masters still hoping to say farewell to La Monf

Despite his abrupt retirement announcement, Gael Monfils might still have the chance to farewell fans if plans come together at the upcoming Paris Masters.

The November event at the La Defense arena was to have been the final goodbye for the widely popular 40-year-old Frenchman.

But Monfils announced his retirement on Oct. 5, a call which is now believed to have come after wife Elina Svitolina announced she was divorcing him.The WTA No. 6 laid the blame on stress from the war on her native Ukraine and said she had to work through the pressure on her own.

Monfils is out of the player antidoping pool and cannot reverse his retirement decision.

But Paris Masters TD Cedric Pioline is still hoping to lay on a goodbye ceremony for Monfils at the final Masters of the season.

They are awaiting a decision from the distraught player himself.

Organisers have not yet heard from the Frenchman, but are happy to act if and when they do.

“For now, we don’t have any more news than that and we respect his difficult time in his life,” Pioline told AFP. 

“We still have a little bit of time, even though the tournament will start soon. We have accepted that he has retired. We will adapt as soon as there is contact.”

Monfils, winner of a dozen career titles, is also scheduled to participate in a retirement exhibition for Swiss Stan Wawrinka in Geneva on December 19.

Also participating in “One Last Backhand” event for the three-time Grand Slam champion are Andy Murray and Roger Federer.

Main photo:- Gael Monfils – by Roger Parker / ISF Ltd