Playing tennis at the top level while being 38 is no mean feat. Ask Gael Monfils, who is still performing consistently despite being past his prime days in the sport. However, with the hectic schedule, fatigue can sometimes get the better of players while playing back-to-back tournaments. A similar incident occurred with Monfils as his Vienna Open campaign came to a premature end.

Ahead of his pre-quarterfinal match against the sixth seed Lorenzo Musetti, Monfils withdrew from the tournament citing fatigue. Additionally, it was also reported that Monfils was carrying an illness and preferred to take time off the court. Earlier in the tournament, he had to dig deep in the first-round match against his compatriot Quentin Halys, which might have worsened his physical state. However, Monfils will look to make a strong comeback and recover in time for the upcoming Paris Masters.

Following his US Open second-round exit, Monfils has played back-to-back tournaments in the Asian Swing. Before the Vienna Open, he participated in the China Open and the Shanghai Masters. At the ATP 1000 tournament in Shanghai, he reached the pre-quarterfinals before losing out to Carlos Alcaraz.

With Monfils down with illness, he will face a race against time to recover for the Paris Masters, which starts next week. The veteran French star has been handed a wildcard entry into the tournament, after dropping out of the top 50 of the ATP rankings. It will be his 12th appearance at the tournament in his home country.

Despite being 38, Monfils is not thinking about retirement yet. He still has the fuel to give his best at the top level and hopes to play for a few more years.

Gael Monfils quashes retirement rumors: ‘Lucky and blessed to be on the court’

The past few years have been quite eventful in the life of Monfils. He tied the knot with fellow tennis star, Elina Svitolina and also became a father to his first daughter. While Monfils wants to spend much of his time with his family members, he can’t stay away from the court.

When asked if his retirement was anytime closer, Monfils put his retirement rumors to rest with a firm response. He said, “On the court I don’t really have big goals in a way, just to enjoy myself, win as much as I can. To be honest I have maybe a few more years to play,” Monfils shared. “It has to be a few good years in a way that I am lucky and blessed to be on the court.”

Meanwhile, who is of the same age as him announced that the 2024 season will be the final one of his illustrious career. Although the Spaniard will leave a huge void in the tennis world, fans will look up to Gael Monfils to provide many more thrilling and athletic moments as he has done during his entire career.