Gael Monfils

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[DUN I LOVE]

@Mario, u bram Top-50 Gael (51. w live entry ).

[Damian]

[Damian]

Monfils flies through Indian Wells opener

Spoiler:

Gael Monfils made a statement Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open, where the Frenchman raced past Max Purcell 6-1, 6-2 to earn his first ATP Masters 1000 win since Cincinnati.

Making his 15th appearance in Indian Wells, the 37-year-old Monfils stayed consistent off both wings and countered Purcell’s net-rushing tactics with passing shots and aggressive returning to keep the Australian behind the baseline. World No. 54 Monfils won 70 per cent of his second serve return points to advance in 70 minutes.

"I thought today I [played] a very good match," Monfils said in his on-court interview. "We had a tough first game, but I held it very good. Felt good, moved good, definitely served good. I stuck to my gameplan and it worked amazing."

Monfils will next have an opportunity to break his 1-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head tie with eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who he has not played since 2019.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/monfils ... 4-thursday

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[Art]

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[Damian]

In other evening action, former World No. 6 Gael Monfils upset eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-0, 6-7(5), 6-2. The big-serving Pole captured the momentum by forcing a decider, but was ailing physically for much of the third set.

"I felt like I had a very strong start," Monfils said. "I served very good. Physically I was very present. I was quite tough to put out of the court and off balance. I felt the first set gave me great momentum. He fought back and then in the end third set it was a really early break which helped me get through."

Monfils will next take on 2021 Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie, who eliminated Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 6-4 earlier in the day.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/medvede ... 4-saturday

[Damian]

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[Damian]

Monfils the magic man

Spoiler:

Get to know about Frenchman's love for magic
March 11, 2024
Gael Monfils has been attending magic shows since he was a teenager.ATP Tour
Gael Monfils has been attending magic shows since he was a teenager.
By Sam Jacot
For 20 years, Gael Monfils has produced moments of magic on the ATP Tour. A showman by nature, the Frenchman has entertained fans around the world with his high-risk shotmaking and charisma. A player with endless amounts of natural ability, you know you’ll be entertained when you watch Monfils.

However, the 37-year-old is not just a performer when he is on court. Since he was young, the 12-time tour-level titlist has held a fascination with magic. Monfils attended shows as a teenager and today spends his free time perfecting his craft, with a future aim of performing at shows.

“I have liked magic for a long time, but I kept it a little bit secret in a way,” Monfils told ATPTour.com. “Because in the back of my mind after tennis, I want to do something with magic.

“When I was younger with my parents, they brought me to see a magician and I really liked the spirit of the show. Then I was trying myself a little bit. When I was growing up, I was trying to do a couple of tricks. And then I met a really nice magician, who actually helped develop myself to the highest level. And definitely now, towards the end of my career, I'm thinking maybe I will do something with magic. It would be cocky to say that I practise, but I just do tricks for fun.”

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Monfils travels on tour with a pack of cards and on weeks that he is not playing, will often attend magic shows. He even persuaded his wife and WTA star Elina Svitolina to watch a show with him when the pair started dating in 2019.

“I go to shows a bit. I have been to so many,” Monfils said. “In 2009 I went to watch Criss Angel. I went to watch David Copperfield in Vegas. I went when I was in England actually with Elina because she knew I was a magician. It was in the first weeks that we were dating, she knew that I was a magician and so she came with me to a magic show. I saw so many guys. But now, when I have time, maybe in the offseason as well, and it's not too far, I will go to shows.”

This week, Monfils is competing at the BNP Paribas Open, where he will meet former Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie in the third round. When fans watch the match, they may notice Monfils’ card tattoo on his lower forearm.

The World No. 54 has had the tattoo for many years and is amused that fans have not noticed it.

“I like cards. I like illusion. I love cards. But if you watch me from the beginning, no one has paid attention that I liked magic. I have my tattoo, and it has always been there, but no one has noticed,” Monfils said. “That is the trick! No one noticed this. This [tattoo] has always been there.”

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/gael ... view'>Gael Monfils</a>
Photo Credit: PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP via Getty Images. Gael Monfils' card tattoo.
Monfils will receive loud support when he steps onto court against Norrie, with the Frenchman a fan favourite. When it comes to magic, though, there is no doubt who his main supporter is.

“My daughter loves it. She will be a magician, that's for sure,” Monfils said. “She loves cards. She will probably be a better magician than her dad. She likes the tricks I do.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/monfils ... ature-2024

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