Gael Monfils Leaves Japan Open To Consult Paris Doctors

Written by: Staff on 2nd October 2012

Gael Monfils Leaves Japan Open To Consult Paris Doctors

epa03413234 Gael Monfils of France eyes the ball to return against his compatriot Gilles Simon during their quarter final match at the Thailand Open tennis tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, 28 September 2012. Simon won the match. EPA/PONGMANAT TASIRI |

Gael Monfils is back in Paris, ready to consult a series of doctors after a recurrence of a long standing knee injury ruled him out of this week’s Rakuten Japan Open in Tokyo and appears to threaten his career.

Monfils is suffering from a split patella in his right knee and after returning to competition after a five months long break in Metz two weeks ago, the pain has returned. The world no.53, who has slipped 40 places down the ATP rankings this year, was a semi-finalists in Metz and a quarter finalist last week in Bangkok but was unable to take his first round place against US Open champion Andy Murray in the Rakuten Japan Open.

He felt pain in his Bangkok meeting with fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon and after consultation with coach Patrick Chamagne, decided the best course to take would be to return to France where surgery is a distinct possibility.

Earlier this year Monfils, who was forced to pull out of the French Open because of the problem, said: “This knee is ruining my life and I don’t want to take any risks for the rest of the season.”

Now the 26 year-old, formerly the world junior champion and ranked as high as world no.7 midway through last year, seems he thinks an operation is the only alternative left open to him.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Andy Murray, Gael Monfils, Japan Open 2012, Rakuten Japan Open, Sports, Tennis, tennis injuries