Gael Monfils will forever be adored by fans across the tennis community.

The French star, a multiple Grand Slam semi-finalist and former world number six, brought the curtain down on his playing career last month.

Monfils returned to the Paris Masters earlier this week to take part in a ceremony celebrating his career on the ATP circuit.

Following his appearance in Paris, Monfils wrote a heartfelt message on social media.

Gael Monfils’ message after retiring

“Last night at the Rolex [Paris Masters] I experienced one of the best moments of my life on a court. Today, I still have your voices in my head, and I am still looking for the words,” the French tennis legend, now 40 years old, said in an Instagram post.

“I’ll be honest with you: I was scared to come,” he admitted. “The last few weeks have been full of emotions, and I didn’t dare to come find you. And then I arrived, and this moment was magical. You have been amazing.

“I was a kid from Paris with a dream far too big for him. A kid who was running around, sliding, jumping, just wanted to play, have fun and give people pleasure. Twenty plus years later, I think I’m still that kid. And you, have been there every step of the way.

“Didn’t win a Grand Slam. I’ve lost matches that hurt, and my body has often told me to stop. But what you gave me, no trophy could have given me.

“You give me love. So much love. A kindness that I will never forget. In victories, in defeats, in times when I had nothing, you were there. Every ’Go Gaël! “, in the stands or in front of the TV, has lifted me up more times than you can imagine.

“Yesterday, I came to say thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me be me. Thank you for loving the player and especially the man.

“To my parents, it all started with you. To my family, to my friends, to my team, to everyone who has walked this journey with me, I owe you everything.

Gael Monfils’ 2026 ATP Tour results

“And to you, my Skai [Gael’s daughter]. When you look at these pictures later, I hope you see all the love this audience had for me. This love is the most beautiful legacy I can leave you.

“Today you turn a page. But what we lived together, no one can ever take that away from us. I keep it in me forever.

“I love you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

Monfils retires as a 13-time ATP Tour champion and a two-time major semi-finalist. The Frenchman also won three consecutive junior Grand Slam titles in 2004, winning the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Monfils is adored by many on the tennis circuit, including Victoria Azarenka, who sent the Frenchman a heartfelt message earlier this week.

Gael Monfils’ first ATP Tour title

Monfils was an unseeded player heading into the 2005 Idea Prokom Open.

The 18-year-old refused to let his unseeded status define his campaign in Poland, beating Juan Antonio Marin Casero, Juan Monaco, Victor Hanescu, Potito Starace and Florian Mayer en route to the title.

Monfils did not win another event until capturing the 2009 Metz Open title.

The Frenchman won his 13th and final title 16 years later at the 2025 ASB Classic.