French tennis star Gael Monfils received a standing ovation after his final French Open appearance ended in a five-set defeat.
Gael Monfils played his final match at French Open on Monday, losing to fellow Frenchman Hugo Gaston in an emotional five-set battle at Roland Garros.
The 39-year-old fought back from two sets down before eventually losing 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-0 on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Fans chanted his name as he left the court following a memorable farewell performance.
Monfils, known for his athleticism, trick shots and crowd-pleasing style, reached the French Open semi-finals in 2008 and won 13 ATP titles during a career spanning more than two decades. He also recorded 38 wins against top-10 players and became the French male player with the most Grand Slam match wins in the Open era.
Tributes poured in from tennis legends including Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who praised Monfils for both his talent and personality.
Monfils is expected to retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season.