"I couldn't help but get hurt again" - Gael Monfils dispirited after injury forces him to retire at Miami Open 2023
Gael Monfils' return to the tour after a prolonged break since August last year took an abrupt hit as the Frenchman suffered a wrist injury at the 2023 Miami Open.
Monfils marked his comeback at Indian Wells, where he lost against Jordan Thompson in the first round. The 36-year-old later took part in the Miami Open, where he was up against Ugo Humbert in the opening round.
While Monfils was level with Humbert after six games in the opening set, the Frenchman was grieving with extreme pain in his right wrist, which led to him retiring from the match.
Reflecting on the injury, Monfils stated that there must be something wrong with his approach.
"I couldn't help but get hurt again, it must be something I don't do well. It's not what I want," he said, according to l'Equipe.
The 36-year-old admitted that he was disheartened immediately after suffering the injury. However, with a complete medical report yet to come, the former World No. 6 is trying to stay positive.
"I was very downcast immediately afterwards, but you have to think things are a little more positive and since I don't know what the problem is, I try not to freak out," expressed an optimistic Monfils.
"I will do tests and then there will be treatments," he added. "I don't know if I'll have it for two, six or more weeks if they tell me I broke my wrist and will have it for nine months, well, I'll have to think about it. But I don't think I'll have to stay still for that long."
"I heard a loud pop on the serve, I knew immediately it was no good" - Gael Monfils on the wrist injury
Gael Monfils divulged that he instantly realized he was in trouble when he heard a loud pop on his wrist while taking serve during his first-round match in Miami.
"I heard a loud pop on the serve and attempted the bum because I knew immediately it was no good," he said.
Monfils also stated that he hurt his hand prior to the tournament, hinting that it might be the cause of the injury.
"I hurt my hand a bit last week, but I don't know if it had anything to do with it. First they manipulated me and finally applied a bandage. I couldn't hit the forehand, only the backhand," he added.