Monfils, a 37-year-old French tennis player, is nearing the end of his impressive career. Known for his athleticism and entertaining style of play, Monfils has always been a crowd favorite. However, he has hinted at retirement and a desire to spend more time with his family. This tournament could potentially be one of his last appearances at the US Open.
Monfils’ first-round opponent, Kokkinakis, is a formidable player who has the ability to defeat anyone on his day. The Frenchman will have to bring his A-game right from the start to have a chance against Kokkinakis.
While Monfils recently competed at the Paris Olympic Games, Kokkinakis has been active on both the ATP Tour and the Challenger Tour. Although Monfils has had a disappointing season so far, Kokkinakis has had some success, including winning a title in Sarasota and defeating strong opponents in the qualifying rounds of the Canadian Open. This will give him confidence going into the match against Monfils.
The two players have faced each other twice before, with Monfils winning their first encounter in straight sets in 2022, and Kokkinakis coming out on top in a three-set battle in Atlanta last year. With their head-to-head record tied, their upcoming match promises to be an exciting contest.
Monfils may need some time to adjust to the hard court surface after competing on clay at the Paris Olympics. Kokkinakis will try to take advantage of this and is predicted to cause an upset against Monfils in their first-round match in Montreal. However, Monfils is known for his fighting spirit and the match could potentially go to three sets. Tennis fans won’t want to miss this thrilling match, scheduled to take place later today.
Photo from Gael Monfils Instagram
