Gaël Monfils Announces Retirement After 2026 Season: “40 Will Be the Right Time”

Highlights

• The Final Season: Gaël Monfils has confirmed that the 2026 season will be his last, stating that retiring at age 40 feels like the “right time” to conclude his 22-year career.
• Family First: The decision is driven by the increasing physical demands of the tour and a strong desire to prioritize time with his family, including his wife Elina Svitolina and their daughter, Skai.
• A Surprising Pivot: In an unexpected move for a professional athlete, Monfils plans to pursue a career in private banking after retirement—having already passed exams and completed internships—while also dedicating time to his hobby of magic.

Gaël Monfils, one of the most electrifying and charismatic figures in modern tennis, has announced that he will retire from the professional tour at the conclusion of the 2026 season.

The French veteran, who turned 39 last month, confirmed the decision in an emotional statement, citing his desire to focus on his family and pursue new, surprisingly diverse interests off the court. While his athleticism has defied time for over two decades, Monfils admitted that his 40th birthday next year will mark the natural endpoint of his career.

“Life is Too Short”

Monfils, affectionately known as “La Monf,” revealed that the decision was driven by a mix of physical reality and shifting priorities. Despite remaining competitive—highlighted by a historic title run in Auckland early in the 2025 season where he became the oldest ATP champion since 1990—the toll of the tour has become undeniable.

“I still love tennis, always will, but at my age, it’s very difficult to recover after each match,” Monfils explained in an interview with French broadcaster RTL. “Besides, I have a family to whom I want to dedicate time. It’s natural; there’s always an end.”

He added in his official announcement: “Life is too short. Believe me when I say that I have no regrets… But 40 will be the right time for me.”

The Emotional Toll

While the physical decision was logical, the emotional one was far harder. Monfils revealed that the most difficult moment of the entire process was breaking the news to his father, Rufin Monfils, a former professional footballer who has been the bedrock of his tennis journey since he first picked up a racquet at age two.

“Announcing my retirement to my father was definitely the hardest part,” Monfils admitted. “For 40 years, my father has been driven by his son who wanted to play tennis… It was tough for me to break the news, but he understood my decision and felt relieved knowing that I hadn’t stopped loving this sport.”

From Center Court to Private Banking?

Perhaps most surprising are Monfils’ concrete plans for life after tennis. While many former pros turn to coaching or commentary, the Frenchman has his sights set on the financial sector.

“I want to work in a financial way. I want to work in a bank,” Monfils told reporters, revealing that he has already completed internships at a private bank and passed relevant exams during his time away from the court. “I saw very curious, very interesting people who gave me this passion.”

In true “Showman” fashion, however, he has one other ambition that fits his on-court persona perfectly: Magic. Monfils has stated he intends to dedicate serious time to studying magic, a hobby he has long been passionate about.

One Last Tour

For now, fans have one final season to enjoy the acrobatics and joy Monfils brings to the sport. He enters 2026 with a simple goal: “To enjoy every minute, and to play each match like it’s my last.”

Monfils leaves behind a legacy that transcends his 13 career titles and career-high ranking of World No. 6. Along with fellow “Musketeers” Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet, and Gilles Simon, he helped define a golden era of French tennis. He is the last of that quartet to hang up his racquet, marking the definitive end of a chapter for French sport.

He will retire to a life with his wife, fellow tennis star Elina Svitolina, and their daughter, Skai, having given everything to the game he loves.