Gaël Monfils is preparing for this summer’s Olympic Games. For the occasion, he spoke with The Sunday Journal. The 38-year-old tennis player has one goal in mind: to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. For this, he knows that he must be present in the top 50 and, for the moment, it is a successful mission, Gaël Monfils is 37th in the world, reported The JDD. If he obtains his place for Paris, he will arrive at his fourth Games. “ That would be crazy “, declared the athlete, before adding: “ It would just be “sick” to play four. » The journalist Jean-François Pérès then questions him: “ Flag bearer of France at the Games, if you are ever selected, would you like it? »
Even if he would like to, Gaël Monfils has no illusions. “ I will never be “, he replied categorically before continuing: “ I think that many athletes have more merit or legitimacy than me. » According to him, France is a “ talent pool, in so many disciplines. » So, even if, for him, carrying the flag would be “ an honor “, he does not have false hopes. “ I know for a fact that it’s not for me. And that’s normal », concludes the tennis player.
Gaël Monfils married to a Ukrainian tennis player
In an interview given to Parisian in March 2022, Gaël Monfils confided that his wife, Elina Svitolina, was particularly upset by the war in Ukraine, her native country. “ It’s not easy to see my in-laws suffer. It was hard to see my wife cry every night », admitted the athlete. Aware that his wife was not at her best, Gaël Monfils assured that he would continue to be there for her: “ I try to support her, to carry her. I’m here for her, for her family “, he indicated to our colleagues. And to add about Elina Svitolina and her relatives: “ I would do anything for them. » As recalled The Parisianthe tennis player traveled to California to participate in “Tennis with the Stars”, a charity event whose profits were donated to support funds for Ukrainian refugees.
Article written in collaboration with 6Médias
Photo credits: Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic / Bestimage