This is the last chance for Gael Monfils to claim an Olympic Medal. Is it his final chance for a career accomplishment at a major tournament? Home Olympics do not come along often in an athletes career. So when the opportunity to compete at not only an Olympic games, but a home Olympic games, athletes relish the opportunity to take part and try to win a medal for themselves and their country.
Gael Monfils has that chance this summer, with the Olympic Games being in Paris, France. The 37-year-old is getting towards the end of his playing career but did not want to miss his home Games. The Frenchman will be competing in his fourth Olympic Games. Having missed the London 2012 games due to injury, Monfils has the opportunity of a lifetime: To play at his home Games.
Copying Andy Murray?
Gael Monfils will surely be hoping to win Gold at Paris. He should take inspiration from Andy Murray. The Brit, who is retiring after the Paris Olympics, played the tennis of his life at the London 2012 games. Murray defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinal to set up a Wimbledon final rematch with Roger Federer.
The Swiss, who is arguably the greatest of all time, had defeated Murray only four weeks previously on the same court. Murray had claimed the first set, before the World #1 fought back and took the next three, denying the Brit his first Wimbledon trophy.
Having made the final in singles, Murray watched other members of Team GB winning Gold, specifically on what was dubbed “Super Saturday” where Team GB secured 6 Gold medals. Three of those were on the athletics track within a period of 44 minutes.
Murray went on to dominate Federer the next day. The first two sets saw the Brit drop only three games. The third set was closer, but Federer was unable to prevent the Brit adding to the tally of Golds. Murray went on to claim silver in the mixed doubles the same day.
Gael Monfils’ Chance
Murray has already announced this will be his fifth and final Olympic Games. Monfils is the same age as the Brit, so it is unlikely that the Frenchman will make the 2028 games. Monfils will have the crowd behind him, just as Murray did on that day back in 2012. This will certainly be an advantage. Monfils has managed to make the quarterfinals at two previous Games, and he will want to do better at home.
It’s likely to be a tricky ask with many great clay court players around. Novak Djokovic is also heading to Paris, and an Olympic Gold is the only thing missing from his CV (just like Federer). The Serbian won a Bronze Medal in 2008 but has not been on the podium since then.
Rafael Nadal is also heading to Paris, where he has been the most successful male player in history. His level is not as good as he would like, but never discount the “King of Clay” to perform and win another medal. Nadal has two Gold medals–a singles Gold from 2008 and a doubles Gold from Rio 2016.
Murray is the only male player to have won back-to-back single gold medals as he also claimed it in Rio 2016. Alexander Zverev will aim to replicate Murray and win singles Gold in Paris, but has plenty of players to stop him. Monfils is only one of them, and this is going to be the last chance for the Frenchman to claim an elusive medal.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
