“Where Is Gael Monfils” – All Of Europe Is Wondering

Written by: Staff on 17th December 2012

ATP PTT Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok

"Where Is Gael Monfils" - All Of Europe Is Wondering

epa03410708 Gael Monfils of France hits a return to Kevin Anderson of South Africa during their mens singles first round match at the ATP PTT Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, 26 September 2012. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT |

Following last week’s admission by Henri Leconte in Tennis News that he is concerned about Gael Monfils’ state of mind, worries are mounting in France over the 26 year-old whose ranking has plummeted to a position this week of 77 in the world.

Monfils recently ended his year-long coaching relationship with his Patrick Chamagne who maintained the former world no.7 has tired over the pressure by on his career and a succession of injuries.

Chamagne, who succeeded Australian Roger Rasheed as Monfils’ coach, said: “He is hiding but I would not be surprised if it was a return to hell.”

Last weekend L’Equipe ran a story that Monfils’ participation in next month’s Australian Open is in doubt and the player has been unreachable for several days. French Davis Cup coach Lionel Roux maintained the phone number he had for Monfils has been out of order for some time.

Leconte hinted that Monfils, who he once considered coaching was depressed and considering the possibilities of a premature retirement. He added: “Gael is completely lost at the moment and doesn’t know what to do.

“When you’re hurt so long, you can quickly go into depression. But it is the turning point in his life. He gives the impression of a wounded animal.

“He has a strange way of training, thinking about sports, about his life, his entourage, his everything. It’s a nightmare. He doesn’t know where to go … He’s been lost for two years. It’s a shame, because he’s so talented.”

However Monfils’ agent, Nicolas Lemperin, insisted Monfils is not suffering from depression. “I speak to him three or four times a day,” Lemperin said. “We just bought tickets to the Australian Open.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: European tennis news, French tennis news, Gael Monfils, Henri Leconte, Leconte, Roger Rasheed, Sports, Tennis