Gael Monfils uses daughter as motivation to seal French Open 1R win

Gael Monfils has revealed that the motivating force behind his 2023 French Open first-round win was his daughter.

Monfils rallied from 0-4, 30/40 down in the fifth set against Sebastian Baez on Tuesday to triumph 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 1-6, 7-5. This was his first tour-level victory in nine months.

Monfils last won an ATP match at the Canadian Masters in August 2022, when he beat Maxime Cressy to reach the Round of 16. During his on-court interview after defeating Baez, Monfils said that he wanted to get a win under his belt in Paris as a dad.

“At 3-0, I said to myself: damn, I haven't won a match since I became a dad. My daughter is in Paris. I said to myself: damn, I'm still going to win one!” he said.

“I worked and practised well before, and I thought even though recently I lost many matches, I was playing tournaments, practice, practice, tournament, practice, tournament, practice, it was good. It did me good. And I gained confidence in my body,” he added.

Monfils's daughter, Skai, got another special mention as the Frenchman even wrote her name on the camera lens after the win.

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“It's definitely in like top two” - Gael Monfils on the 'special' French Open 1R win

Gael Monfils in action at the 2023 French Open.

The win against Sebastian Baez was Gael Monfils' 11th five-set victory at the French Open. In five-set matches at Roland Garros, he now holds an 11-4 win-loss record. Monfils and Stan Wawrinka hold the Open Era record for most five-set wins at the Paris Major.

When asked where the match against Baez would rank in his career, Monfils said it would be in the top two.

“It's definitely in like top two. I had the same one almost kind of some years ago against Cuevas on (Court Suzanne) Lenglen (in 2015). It was unbelievable atmosphere as well,” he said.

“Of course this one is another flavour. I'm older, and even less chances, let's say, to win this match today. It's one of my best matches, the best sports moment I could experience,” he added.

Monfils will next face sixth seed Holger Rune in the second round of the 2023 French Open on Thursday, June 1.