Gael Monfils said goodbye to another set of fans on Thursday as he continues his farewell season on the ATP Tour.
Monfils, set to retire at the end of the year, entered the Mexican Open in Acapulco for the second and final time in his career earlier this week.
The Frenchman last appeared at the tournament back in 2009 and made it to the final before losing to Nicolas Almagro.
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Fast forward 17 years, and Monfils made one last visit to Acapulco in 2026, bowing out in the second round to Valentin Vacherot.
Following his defeat, the former world number six took to social media to send a message to the Mexican fans.
Gael Monfils addresses Mexican fans on Instagram after loss
In a post on Instagram, Monfils said: “17 years… can you believe it?
“That’s how long it had been since I last played in Acapulco. And wow… it felt so good to be back.
“Thank you to the tournament for giving me the chance to come back and play here one more time. The place is beautiful, everything was amazing, but honestly… you guys were the best part.
“The energy out there was crazy. I felt so much support every second on the court. It pushed me, and it really meant a lot to me.
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“Coming back after all these years and feeling that kind of support… that’s special. Those are the moments you don’t forget.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the warm welcome, the vibes, the smiles. Being able to share that with you is something I truly appreciate.
“17 years later and the intensity is still there… and that’s something special.”
Gael Monfils’ next appearance on the ATP Tour
Monfils has appeared at three tournaments so far this year: The ASB Classic in Auckland, the Australian Open and the Mexican Open.
He has picked up just one win across the three events, which was a straight-sets victory over Damir Dzumhur in Acapulco.
The next event Monfils will feature at is the Indian Wells Open, where he has been granted a wildcard.
Indian Wells marks the first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season, and is followed by the second half of the ‘Sunshine Double’ in Miami.
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