Novak Djokovic pays tribute to Gael Monfils at the farewell of Indian Wells.

Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest names in the history of world tennis, paid an emotional tribute to the charismatic Gael Monfils, who bid farewell to the professional circuit during the Indian Wells tournament. Monfils’ departure, one of the most beloved players of his generation, marked the end of an era in tennis and left fans and colleagues reflecting on his legacy.

The Frenchman, who announced his retirement at the end of the 2026 season, made his final appearance at the Indian Wells Open, where he was defeated in the second round by the world number 9, Felix Auger-Aliassime. At 39 years old, Monfils, currently ranked 148th, won 13 singles titles on the ATP Tour and reached an impressive peak of 6th place in the world rankings over a brilliant career that began in 2004.

During a press conference in [Indian Wells](https://apitofinal.pt/modalidades/tenis/sonay-kartal-surpreende-e-derrota-madison-em-torneio-na-california/), Djokovic did not hesitate to praise Monfils, highlighting his uniqueness both on and off the court. “One of the few older players than me on the tour, along with [Stan] Wawrinka and Gael,” Djokovic began with a smile. “We’re talking about Gael now; he deserves all the applause and credit for everything he has done, not just on the court, [but](https://apitofinal.pt/modalidades/golf/gary-woodland-partilha-incidente-traumatico-para-nao-desiludir-scottie-scheffler/) also for his impressive athletic ability. In my opinion, he is one of the most athletic players to have ever held a racket and undoubtedly one of the most exciting to watch play.”

The Serbian tennis player emphasized the unpredictability and spectacle that Monfils brings to the audience: “I think there’s no one who doesn’t enjoy watching Gael play because we never know what to expect. That has brought a lot of interest and smiles to the people watching him.” [But](https://apitofinal.pt/nacional/thiago-silva-confessa-sem-o-fc-porto-teria-posto-fim-a-carreira/) it’s not just his skill that sets him apart; it’s also his personality. Djokovic praised Monfils’ conduct, stating: “He is such a nice person, and literally, I don’t know anyone in the last 20 years who has had any kind of negative conflict with him. That says a lot about who he is as a human being, and he has always had enormous respect among all his fellow tennis players.”

Djokovic concluded his tribute with a heartfelt wish: “He deserves to leave tennis the way he wants and to say goodbye in the way he sees fit. I hope the public supports him in all the tournaments, as he truly deserves.”

This tribute from Djokovic not only elevates the figure of Monfils, but also highlights the camaraderie and respect that exist within the tennis community. Gael Monfils’ legacy as an athlete and as a person will continue to inspire future generations, while fans eagerly await his grand farewell in the upcoming tournaments.