Gael Monfils was out of the tour for the first two months of this season. He had injured his foot last season and was out for six months. Monfils made a comeback at Indian Wells but lost in the opening round. He played a series of challenger events and got his first victory of the season at the French Open. In the next match, Monfils had to issue a walkover due to a wrist injury and has been injury struck ever since.
The 36-year-old played his best at the Canadian Open, reaching the quarterfinals. At the ongoing Cincinnati Masters and Monfils had to take a medical timeout while defeating Cameron Norrie.
Some fans pointed out that this has always happened with Monfil. They accused him of always taking the medical timeout. Fans commented, “He’s a Cheater and a Liar,” a Fake injury,” betting a million dollars he withdraws from the next match.” Monfils later explained the struggle in recovering from injuries.
Retire n nanny your kid ! Let svitolina makes. Living !
— Tite4YoU (@EvilWant2be) August 16, 2023
He fakes injuries. All the times.
— ° (@Gregoshow) August 15, 2023
He is a cheater and a liar
— Jacqueline (@Jacquel51452163) August 15, 2023
betting a million dollars he withdraws from next match
— ibs (@ibs74534081) August 15, 2023
After the match, Monfils said, “People, they think we are rabbits. Wow, we wake up, and we are super happy to run for an hour and do the fitness. Some days are tougher for everybody. That’s part where we better as athletes because we have this discipline.”
The Frenchmen have not played more than forty matches since 2019. Now he has slowed down in matches and not in pace, as he still has that ability.
Gael Monfils celebrates return to Cincinnati with a win
Monfils missed playing at Cincinnati last season due to injuries. In his past eleven appearances, he had only lost once to a left-hander at the event. This time, it looked like Norrie would give him an early send-off when the match started. Monfils was moving slowly after the medical timeout, but his groundstrokes began picking up speed.
Norrie was winning the long rallies and was successful on the three occasions he came to the net. The Frenchmen returned the favor, as he won the set by winning the long and short rallies. He only came to the net on four occasions and won all of them. Monfils continued his elegant play in the third set, as Norrie’s early break proved insignificant.
The former world No. 6 became faster and stronger as the game progressed. Norrie could not handle the groundstrokes from the baseline. He tried to come at the net, which, too, failed to make an impact. Monfils will now save all his energy and closely examine his lower body. He will next face speed demon Alex de Minaur for a place in the fourth round.