On Thursday, Gael Monfils said a heartfelt goodbye to fans in Acapulco during his farewell season on the ATP Tour. The French tennis star, who plans to retire by the end of this year, returned to the Mexican Open for the last time this week, marking a special moment in his career.
Monfils had previously competed in Acapulco in 2009, where he reached the final but was defeated by Nicolas Almagro. Seventeen years later, he made a final appearance in 2026, exiting the tournament in the second round after losing to Valentin Vacherot.
Monfils Shares a Personal Message with Mexican Supporters
After his second-round loss, Monfils expressed his gratitude toward the Acapulco crowd through an Instagram post. He reflected on the 17 years since his last visit and how much it meant to return to such a welcoming atmosphere.
“17 years… can you believe it? That’s how long it had been since I last played in Acapulco. And wow… it felt so good to be back,”
Monfils wrote. He thanked the tournament organizers for the opportunity to compete again and praised the beauty of the venue, but emphasized that the fans made the experience truly special.
“The energy out there was crazy. I felt so much support every second on the court. It pushed me, and it really meant a lot to me,”
he added. Monfils described the warm reception as something unforgettable and thanked the fans sincerely.
17 years later and the intensity is still there… and that’s something special.
— Gael Monfils, French tennis player
Current Season Highlights and Upcoming Participation
This season, Monfils has competed in three tournaments: the ASB Classic in Auckland, the Australian Open, and the Mexican Open. Throughout these events, he has recorded one victory, a straight-sets win against Damir Dzumhur in Acapulco.
Looking ahead, Monfils is set to compete at the Indian Wells Open after receiving a wildcard entry. Indian Wells will be his first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year and is part of the opening phase of the season leading into the Miami Open, the second event in the prestigious ‘Sunshine Double.’
