By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday August 9, 2023
Gael Monfils is a talent unlike no other on the ATP Tour. All the more reason to listen to the man when he talks of another unique talent: Carlos Alcaraz.
The Frenchman gave a good account of what makes Alcaraz special after he took out Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday at the National Bank Open in Toronto, sayings that what makes the Spaniard special is pretty much, well, everything.
Monfils recalled losing to Alcaraz 7-5, 6-1 at Indian Wells in the round of 16 last year and knew right then that the soon to be World No.1 had that it factor.
/br> “When I finished the match, I told everybody, I said, ‘Whoa, look out. He’s going to be–he is different. When I played him, I felt like his ball was different. His movement was different. His mentality was different.”
Monfils isn’t surprised that Alcaraz well on his way to becoming a legend.
“I was just happy to just say, it happened to him quick,” he said, adding: “But I felt his ball already, so I knew he has something different.”
This is how Carlos Alcaraz & Gael Monfils ended their practice 😂
Two of the most naturally gifted athletes & entertainers alive & they end it like this.
How could you not love them.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 8, 2023
Mixed Doubles with Svitolina?
At 36, Monfils may not have too many Grand Slams left in his career, but he doesn’t rule out putting in the extra effort into playing mixed doubles with his wife Elina Svitolina. Maybe not this year–or even next year, but someday.
“Why not?” he said. “Why not to play once a mixed double? Why not? But the thing is it’s tough for me to play single and doubles… But I feel like when it will be the end, I will try to double up. And hopefully it’s not next year.”
What’s Next? Keep Pushing the Body
Back in good form after healing from the wrist injury that forced him out of Roland-Garros and to also miss Wimbledon, Monfils has earned his first Top 10 win of the season. He believes that if he can stay fit and continue putting in time on the practice court, he can earn more good wins this summer in the US.
“I would say when I am almost 100 percent and I feel great, I have a lot of practice behind me and can practice weeks to weeks and play tournament after tournament, I will always be a tough opponent,” he said. “That’s why I still play, because I still believe I can be tough for those guys out there.
“I’m just…
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