Gael Monfils Inspired By Ronaldo, LeBron For Final Run: 'I Want To Play Until 40'

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 12:17 IST

Gael Monfils says he wants to keep playing until 40 like Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James before retiring later this year at the Paris Masters.

Gael Monfils is not ready to walk away from tennis just yet.

The Frenchman says he wants to follow the path of sporting icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James by continuing to compete into his 40s before finally retiring later this season.

Monfils, who turns 40 in September, bid farewell to French Open on Monday after losing a dramatic five-set match to fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the opening round.

The 39-year-old walked off Court Philippe-Chatrier to a standing ovation after a career that has stretched across more than two decades.

But while Roland Garros is done, Monfils still has unfinished business elsewhere.

“Why do I want to get to the States? Because I want to play until 40. My wish is to be an athlete that plays until 40 years old," Monfils said.

“Like Stan (Wawrinka), LeBron, Cristiano, (Patrice) Evra, like all of the athletes who have managed to continue their sport until the age of 40."

The former world No. 6 said he is still fully committed to training and plans to play several more events before retiring on home soil at the Paris Masters later this year.

Monfils hopes to compete at Wimbledon Championships, the Montreal Masters and the US Open, for which he plans to request a wildcard.

“Hopefully Wimbledon. Then need to decide if we go to Washington or not," he said.

“I think we will ask Montreal, hopefully. I want to say goodbye to Montreal. Obviously I will ask the French Federation to have the US Open wildcard."

He admitted the second half of his schedule remains uncertain, especially the Asian swing, but confirmed he intends to finish his career in Paris.

“The end of the year, I can tell you I will play Lyon, the new tournament… and then hopefully, Paris."

Monfils retires as one of France’s most entertaining players of his generation. The 13-time ATP title winner reached the Roland Garros semi-finals in 2008 and played a major role in France’s Davis Cup campaigns across the last decade.

(with Reuters inputs)

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