We still do not know how long Gaël Monfils38, will still crowd the tennis courts. But you have to take advantage of every moment of the Parisian racket in hand and smile on the lips, as he will miss his sport. The world number 42 gave it the perfect illustration on Thursday evening by electrifying the 15,000 supporters of the Court Philippe-Chatrier Faced with Jack Draper, n ° 5 at ATP.
Two days after his already epic victory against the Bolivian Dellian after having put together a handicap of two sets, the tricolor showman, swept away by the crowd, still embarked on a funny trip at the end of the night. Too fair, however, to trip the Briton, winner in four sets (6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in 3:11).
But more than enough to offer lots of images in the end -of -year best of and some beautiful memories of the guys in the stands. With a double instant of grace to receive the deserved standing ovation of the central in the middle of the second set. A monstrous defense point at 4-2 punctuated by a forehand passing, then a cushioning volley which makes the west Parisian roar roar, in trance in front of a large smile monfils and arms on the cross.
The continuation was of the same ilk. Just exceptional tennis slices, an incredible riot of energy on both sides and a single -man which, as often, manages to train the whole earth with it. A striking contrast with The farewell lukewarm of his friend Richard Gasquet A few hours earlier in the same place. In the 4th set, the tricolor gave everything.
He led 5-2, his fist on his heart, and gave hope to reissue his feat from the last Australian Open, where he had beaten the world number 4 Taylor Fritz. But after more than three hours of kif, with an empty reservoir for a long time, the time had come to make arms on a last slap of the Briton, a little too strong and the nerves solid.
A magnificent hug and an outing up to this new unlikely evening “at La Monfils”. At 11:45 p.m., backpack and thumbs up in the air, the blue-white-red veteran leaves the court. And everyone wants to find him in a year …
