After eight years of trying Gael Monfils will once again prepare for a grand slam semifinal showdown after defeating a visibly fatigued Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
It was another one-sided win in Monfils’ dream run to the last four, where he is yet to drop a set in the tournament. In his latest New York test against Pouille, the composed tenth seed produced 13 aces and 24 winners to book a meeting against Novak Djokovic or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
“I think I handled it pretty good mentally and Tennistically.” Monfils casually said about his performance.
Not many players apart from Monfils could get away from saying a line such as that in their press conference. It is part of the reason why he has become such a lovable figure on the tour. Watching the Frenchman play on the court, he sometimes appears more like an artist than an athlete with his spectacular shot-making.
It isn’t his movement on the court that is the most refreshing thing, it is his general love for the sport. Some might expect there to be moments in Monfils’ career when he gets sick of hitting the ball around the court since he was a kid. Nevertheless, the entertaining figure has declared his entire career as fun.
“Always.” He immediately responded when asked if he was having fun. “No matter what, maybe I look a bit serious, like everyone mentioned this year, but I play tennis because I have fun. I play tennis because I love sports.”
The love and enthusiasm Monfils has for the sport is one that has the ability to inspire a generation of young children. Often the focus for youngsters growing up is about hard work and dedication (as it should be), but not so much on the passionate side.
Monfils’ fun side in matches doesn’t come without its critics. It could be argued that tactics such as diving for the ball, is just simply showing off to the audience as suppose to focusing on the match. It is a viewpoint that has split tennis fans, but the Frenchman has insisted that his play is always about getting the point and nothing else.
“I think when I dive on the court, I do not do it for people. To be honest, am I going to hurt myself for people? No.” The 30-year-old said.
“I dive because I want to win the point. When you make a show, honestly, it’s entertaining, but it’s to win. So what would be the point in making a show and then actually losing?”
Like many other players on the tennis tour, Monfils will always have his critics. On the other hand, his contagious personality is what makes his game a delight to view for many. He may never become world No.1, however, tennis without Monfils would leave a huge gap in the sport for many people. It is for this reason why his run to the last four at the US Open is long overdue and well deserved.
