Gael Monfils bid farewell to professional tennis in an emotional manner, closing a career that captivated fans around the world. The 40-year-old Frenchman was eliminated in the second round of the 2026 US Open by young Learner Tien, who defeated him with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. This loss marked the end of his journey in Grand Slams, in a tournament where the atmosphere was pure electricity, with the crowd paying him one last tribute.
During his farewell, USTA CEO Craig Tiley and tournament director Eric Butorac presented Monfils with a framed photo, symbolizing his impact and legacy in the sport. However, the player is already looking towards the future, revealing that he is preparing to start a career in the financial sector. “I have a new chapter coming. Next year, I will work in finance. I have already signed on to work in wealth management at a Swiss company,” Monfils stated, unveiling his new professional direction.
Monfils’ choice to pursue a career in finance is not a sudden decision. Since 2024, he has completed internships, spent time in private banks, and studied wealth management. “I want to work in a financial way. I want to work in a bank,” he previously stated, emphasizing his interest in “private banking” and “how to talk to clients.”
His transition to the financial world seems promising, with Monfils mentioning that he has already completed another internship at a private bank near his home and has been taking online courses. “The next chapter will be even better, I’m sure of it,” he said. His personality, which he describes as more rigorous off the court, may help him in this new path. “I like everything to be done immediately and I’m a bit of a perfectionist,” he admitted, referring to the attention to detail that is necessary in his future profession.
Despite leaving competitive tennis, Monfils will not completely distance himself from the sport, especially due to his wife, Elina Svitolina, who is still competing. “I will always follow tennis because I love the sport and my wife is playing. I don’t think that, at least in the next year, I will do much in tennis. But I will definitely be around for Elina,” he stated.
His last Grand Slam match had moments of great emotion. Monfils started with a victory over Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, becoming the oldest man to win a match at the US Open since Jimmy Connors in 1992. After his farewell, he expressed his gratitude to the audience: “It is an honor to have played all these years in front of you. You have given me so much love, so I will never forget that.”
Young Learner Tien, who had the opportunity to play against his idol, also expressed his happiness at having shared this moment. “I knew we wouldn’t have many opportunities to play together, so I’m super happy it happened here,” Tien said, in a gesture that lightened the emotional weight of the moment.
With Monfils stepping away from Grand Slam competitions, his focus is now on building a new professional life.
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