The word “unexpected” is underrated to qualify this news. Gael Monfils was named captain of the France Davis Cup team by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) on Saturday, four days after his farewell ceremony at the Rolex Paris Masters.

The 40-year-old succeeds Paul-Henri Mathieu, who led the team for three years, and will be supported by Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet.

“It is an immense pride to become captain of the France team,” Monfils said in French in a statement released by the FFT. “This blue shirt means so much to me. I want to build a real collective project and create the momentum that will allow us to go after titles together.”

Monfils spent 22 years on the professional tour. He won 13 ATP titles, the last of them in Auckland in January 2025, and reached a career-high of World No. 6 in 2016. That year he qualified for the ATP Finals, and he remained the last Frenchman to do so until Arthur Fils this week.

Simon and Gasquet alongside Monfils in the France set-up

The federation said Monfils would have the backing of all its teams, notably Simon and Gasquet, to support him in his role and create the best conditions for performance. Gasquet was among those who paid tribute to Monfils on Court Central in Paris on Tuesday.

He was also among the top listed persons expected to take the role with Lucas Pouille.

“We are very happy to have Gael at the head of the France team,” FFT president Gilles Moretton said. “We are convinced that his infectious energy and enthusiasm will be precious assets in carrying the ambitions of French tennis.”

Moretton also praised his predecessor. “I also want to salute the work done by Paul-Henri, who notably brought our team back to the Davis Cup Final 8,” he said.