Gael Monfils suggests some need to be a bit more realistic when criticizing French players for not winning the French Open in a long time as the 38-year-old highlights that Rafael Nadal has more titles at Roland Garros than he has in his career.
Since Yannick Noah’s triumph in 1983, no local male player has made it all the way at the Parisian Grand Slam in singles.
When Monfils won three junior Slams in 2004, the French were hoping he would be the one that would help them break that drought. But the former world No. 6 hasn’t managed to land a French Open title or triumph in any other Major.
The Frenchman’s best result at Roland Garros came early in his career in 2008 – when he made the semifinal before losing to Roger Federer. He was also a quarterfinalist in Paris on three other occasions – twice losing to the Swiss and once to Andy Murray.
Monfils: Nadal has more French Open titles than I have ATP titles
The newly retired Spaniard finished with an all-time record of 14 titles at Roland Garros. Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Frenchman has collected 12 ATP titles over the course of his career.
Rafael Nadal© YouTube screenshot
“Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have all won at least 20 Grand Slams each. It’s just mind-blowing. Rafa has more Roland-Garros titles than I have, and you’re giving me the chance to win Roland-Garros? Nadal won Roland-Garros 14 times while Pete Sampras, who was the tennis legend, won 14 Grand Slam titles! Everyone was wondering who would surpass Pete Sampras. And he wins Roland-Garros 14 times. And then we wonder: why hasn’t a Frenchman won Roland? I’m not as strong… Even Federer, who is a legend, has only won it once,” Monfils said during a conversation with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga that was posted on his YouTube channel.
Tennis World USA