WATCH: Agony writ large on Gael Monfils' face as Frenchman has comeback derailed with yet another injury at Miami Open 2023

Gael Monfils' struggles with injury continued as he was forced to retire in his first-round match against compatriot Ugo Humbert at the 2023 Miami Open.

Gael Monfils returned to the ATP Tour after a seven-month long layoff due to persistent injuries. He competed at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on his return, where lost his opening match to Jordan Thompson in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.

The Frenchman then elected to compete at the ATP Challenger Arizona Tennis Classic, where he faced Alexander Shevchenko in the first round. The pair engaged in a challenging battle with Shevchenko eventually prevailing 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

At the following Miami Open, Gael Monfils was up against countryman Ugo Humbert in his opener. The match was level at 3-3 in the first set, when Monfils was forced to retire due to a persistent wrist injury that hampered his ability to compete.

The former World No. 6 looked to be in complete agony while shaking hands with Humbert and the umpire, and his pain was palpable as he unwrapped the bandadges from his wrist before leaving the court.

The 36-year-old's struggle with the wrist injury was apparent throughout the match as he struggled to play at his best and was seen wincing in pain between points.

Meanwhile, Ugo Humbert will take on Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round of the 2023 Miami Open.

Gael Monfils provides update on wife Elina Svitolina's return to the WTA Tour

Gael Monfils watching Elina Svitolina compete

In an interview with the ATP Tour prior to the BNP Paribas Open, Gael Monfils divulged details of his wife Elina Svitolina's imminent comeback. Svitolina has been away from the WTA Tour for over a year due to back issues and later her pregnancy. The pair welcomed their daughter Skai in October 2022.

“She’s right there. She’s obviously very motivated to come back. It was actually crazy because she just gave birth and obviously she was super happy, but she really wants to get back very quickly in good shape. She wanted to feel that she can play again. She was worried because she hadn’t played for a long time. She picked up the racquet quite good. It was great," Monfils said.

Monfils stated that Svitolina was enjoying her practice sessions and that she would be announcing her comeback soon.

"Now she’s practising, she’s loving it. She’s starting to move a little bit more because at the beginning she couldn’t move so much. But now it’s better and I think she has some goals, so I think she will soon say what she wants to do and when she wants to come back," he added.

Elina Svitolina has done just that and will be back in action at the 2023 Charleston Open, scheduled to commence on April 1.

The 2023 Charleston Open marks Elina Svitolina's first appearance on the WTA Tour since March 2022 and her first as a mother.