"When I see Rafa, I see my friend who is still winning, and that really gives me pleasure"- Gael Monfils
World No. 16 Gael Monfils said that he was very happy to see Rafael Nadal win the Australian Open.
The Spaniard entered the tournament as the sixth seed and dropped just one set en route to the quarterfinals. Nadal overcame stomach problems to defeat Denis Shapovalov in five sets before overcoming Matteo Berrettini in the semifinals.
The King of Clay was up against World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in the final and the latter took the first two sets. However, Nadal scripted an incredible comeback to defeat the Russian and win his first Australian Open title since 2009 and his 21st Grand Slam. The victory also meant he edged past his rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the Grand Slam titles race.
In a press conference ahead of the Open Sud de France, Monfils said Nadal winning his 21st Major was a huge achievement. The 36-year-old added that the Spaniard's triumph against the odds made for a "fabulous" story.
"I grew up with Nadal and I'm super happy for him," said Monfils."It's huge and exceptional, this 21st GS. I thought it was nice to see him like that. The older we get, the stronger the emotions too. When I see Rafa, I see my friend who is a hit, who is still winning, and that really gives me pleasure. You share that with him, the story is fabulous. I have nothing against Daniil, but for Rafa, it's just magic."
« Quand je vois Rafa, je vois mon pote qui cartonne, qui gagne encore, et ça m’apporte vraiment du plaisir. Tu partages ça avec lui, l’histoire est fabuleuse. Je n’ai rien contre Daniil, mais pour @RafaelNadal c’est juste magique ». @Gael_Monfils
The current World No. 16 reached his second Australian Open quarterfinal this year and put up a valiant effort against Matteo Berrettini. However, the Italian edged him out in five sets. The 36-year-old said he hasn't been able to bring his A-game in the latter stages of a Grand Slam.
"In many of the matches in my grand slam career, I have never managed to play my 'A Game', in quarters or semis," Monfils said. "Sometimes there are opportunities but I don't take them well. People tend to trivialize the fact of arriving in the quarter-finals of GS, but when these opportunities arise, you have to seize them. I want to always believe in it and put myself in a better position to reach even higher."
« Les gens ont tendance à banaliser le fait d’arriver en quart de finale de GC, mais quand ces opportunités se présentent, il faut les saisir. J’ai envie de toujours y croire et de me mettre dans une meilleure position pour aller chercher encore plus haut »@Gael_Monfils
Gael Monfils seeded third at the Open de Sud France
Following his quarterfinal run at the Australian Open, the Frenchman moved four places up to 16th in the ATP rankings. He will now compete at the Open de Sud France as the third seed. Monfils has won the tournament thrice and will be looking to triumph for a fourth time, equaling compatriot Richard Gasquet's tally.
The Frenchman said he is glad to be back at one of his most succesful tournaments.
"Here in Montpellier, we are closer to the fans, the tournament is well organised, I've had a lot of success here and it's always a pleasure to come here," said Monfils.
The 36-year-old has received a bye to the second round and takes on Sweden's Mikael Ymer for a place in the quarterfinals.