Former world number six Gael Monfils, who is nursing a foot injury, confirmed he will likely miss the 2023 Australian Open as he looks ahead to the French Open.
Former world number six Gael Monfils has revealed that he will likely miss 2023 Australian Open as he focuses on his recovery from a foot injury.
The 36-year-old maintained his late-season issues against Great Britain Jack Drapers at the Canadian Open in August and was forced to withdraw from that round of 16 match.
Monfils – now ranked 52nd in the world – is not taking the court again for the remainder of the 2022 season, and he will be able to use his protected ranking into tournaments if he is injured for at least six months.
However, with the Australian Open taking place in January, Monfils will not be able to access his protected lower ranking, and he has decided not to play in the upcoming Grand Slam tournament as he looks forward to the French Open on home soil.
“I know there are protected ratings, when you don’t play for a few months. I know if I take it I have to stay out of the Australian Open to get to the required six months and it will be mine.” decision,” Head Tennis to quote Monfils.
The Frenchman enjoyed a strong opening to the 2022 season, winning his 11th career ATP singles title at the Adelaide International in January by beating Karen Khachanov straight sets in the final.
© Reuters
Monfils then advanced to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open before losing to Matteo Berrettini in five sets, and he also reached the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters before being eliminated Carlos Alcaraz.
However, after being eliminated in the second round of the Madrid Open to Novak DjokovicMonfils missed the French Open to undergo heel surgery and spend three months before returning to Canada, where he will work on his latest problem.
It has been suggested that the French veteran may soon end his competitive career, but he remains determined to qualify for his home Olympics in Paris within two years and hopes to play until he is 40.
“2023 was an important year for me, a transitional year, a transition between my injury and the fact of being competitive to try to qualify for Paris 2024. I don’t want to miss the Olympics, it will be my last,” Monfils added.
“I hope 2024 won’t be my last year, but maybe after. Before, I said I wanted to play until I was 40, but the more time I spend with my daughter, the more time I think about it. I will play less.”
Monfils equaled his best result at the Australian Open with his quarter-final appearance earlier in 2022, having also reached the last eight in 2016 before being knocked out Milos Raonic.
The former world number six reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2008 and the last four of the US Open in 2016, but has never won a Grand Slam title.
“Coffee enthusiast. Hipster-friendly social media fanatic. Certified zombie expert. Problem solver.”
