Gael Monfils confirmed he played at the Toronto Masters for the last time after crashing out in the first round to Chile’s Tomas Barrios Vera, Afrosport reports.
The 38-year-old Frenchman had four match points saved in the third and final set against his opponent ranked 142 in the world to lose 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7).
It was the first Masters match of Barrios Vera’s career having progressed through the qualifiers and also ended a seven-match ATP losing streak.
Reacting to his defeat, Monfils said: “There’s no explanation, it’s the last one. It will be two years to play [again] in Toronto, so pretty much I won’t be able to play it. Obviously, I think the next one is too old for me, so I think it was the last time I’ll play here.
“I actually thought at the end, and I was like, ‘Well, I think it’s, unfortunately, but the last time I think I would play here.”
He added: “Without taking credit from my opponent, [it was a] bad match from my side, not the quality that I want, not the level that I want to perform.
“[I need to] try to work hard, feel this winning [habit come] back a little bit and try to still believe.
“Keep my head up, even though it’s not easy, but I will try my best.”
Ladies and gentlemen, GAEL MONFILS. @NBOtoronto | #NBO25 | @Gael_Monfils pic.twitter.com/SzlTu1kynS
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 27, 2025
Monfils is currently ranked 48th in the world with his best record this year seeing him win the ATP 250 in Auckland back in January while he reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and Miami Masters.
