Tweeners, drop shots and a ‘Roger Federer-type service game’ – How Gael Monfils bowed out in style with five-set Roland-Garros epic

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Gael Monfils bid a memorable farewell to the French Open on Monday night by providing typically flamboyant entertainment and drama in a five-set defeat to Hugo Gaston.

Highlights: Monfils bids memorable farewell to Roland-Garros with five-set thriller

Video credit: TNT Sports

The 39-year-old, playing in the main draw at Roland-Garros for the 19th time, came back from two sets down to force a decider, only to suffer a bagel fifth set that marked the end of the road for him at his home Grand Slam.

Monfils provided thrills throughout, with an early drop shot proving a sign of things to come.

One highlight was a remarkable rally where Gaston and Monfils exchanged tweeners in a dazzling display of skill and imagination on Court Philippe Chatrier.

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But it was Monfils’ ability behind the service line that impressed TNT Sports experts Jim Courier and Henri Leconte as they reviewed a spectacular moment in the fourth set.

Monfils hit two unreturnable serves followed by two aces to wrap up a service game in the space of 42 seconds – a feat that reminded Courier of one of the greats of the sport.

”That was just insane. I don’t understand why he doesn’t serve like that all the time,” Leconte said.

How Monfils dismantled Gaston with 42-second service game – ‘Federer-like’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Courier replied: ”He has so many options. Sometimes, when a player has so many options, it’s difficult to organise. That's always been one of the challenges for Gael, trying to figure out his identity as a player.

”Even in the serve – what kind of a server should I be? He clearly can be a powerhouse server with precision.

”This is a Roger Federer-type service game where it lasts 42 seconds and the other player is basically walking left and right but not doing much else.”

'Now we're talking!' - Monfils' 'fabulous' drop shot bamboozles Gaston

Video credit: TNT Sports

Monfils’ range of skills, enterprising style and huge personality have made him one of the most loved players on tour during his career.

And the pundits paid tribute to the 13-time ATP title winner as he was presented with a trophy featuring a slice of the famous Roland-Garros clay courts to mark his final appearance.

”He loves to play, because he’s a player – he plays with the crowd, he’s an entertainer,” said Leconte.

”He could have won many matches 6-1 6-2 6-4, thank you for coming, bye. No. He has to do something different.”

'Point of the Championship' as Monfils and Gaston exchange tweeners to delight Roland-Garros crowd

Video credit: TNT Sports

Asked what he will miss, Courier said: ”The reaction of the crowd off what he is capable of doing. We saw so many points like this through the course of his career, where the spectacle of Gael was just amazing, and the energy the crowd would bring to it, they just fed off of each other. I’ll miss that.”

Leconte added: ”The same, and also his character, his mentality, the way he is on the court. He’s such a nice guy and we will miss his generosity, his humour, and his tennis – just pure talent.”

Monfils' popularity was there for all to see during a post-match presentation, when a tribute video was played featuring the biggest names in the sport.

The 'big three' of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all wished Monfils well, along with current top stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and a host of other big names from the tennis world.