Gael Monfils played a match at the Indian Wells Open for the final time in his career on Friday.
The Frenchman, set to retire at the end of the season, lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 event.
After conceding the first set via a tiebreak, ninth seed Auger-Aliassime fought back to seal the victory and advance to round three, where he will take on Canadian compatriot Gabriel Diallo.
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Monfils has featured at four tour-level competitions so far in his swansong year, and has picked up victories in both Acapulco and Indian Wells.
Following the 39-year-old’s loss in California, fellow ATP veteran Novak Djokovic had some kind words for him.
Novak Djokovic comments on Gael Monfils in Indian Wells
Asked about Monfils in a press conference after his opening win in Indian Wells, Djokovic said: “One of the rare guys that is older than me on the tour (smiling), with Wawrinka and Gael.
“I mean, these guys, we’re talking about Gael now, he deserves every applause and every credit out there for not just what he has done on the tennis court and with his athleticism that was off the charts.
“I mean, one of the most athletic tennis players ever to hold the racquet, in my opinion, and one of the most exciting players to watch.
“I always love, I mean, I think there is no one who doesn’t like watching Gael play tennis because you never know what to expect. I think that’s what brought a lot of interest and also a lot of smiles to people when they watch him play.
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“But also, his character features and values. You know, he’s such a nice guy, and it’s, like, literally no one that I know in the last 20 years that has gotten into something negative or some kind of conflict with him.
“That speaks volumes, you know, about him, who he is as a person, and always had tremendous respect by all of the fellow tennis players. You know, everyone loves him.
“He deserves to play this year the way he wants to play and to go out from tennis and say goodbye in a way that he feels that it’s fit. I hope the crowd will give him in every tournament a proper support that he deserves.”
Gael Monfils’ next chance in the ATP Masters series
After exiting the Indian Wells Open, Monfils’ next chance in the ATP Masters series will come in the second half of the Sunshine Double at the Miami Open.
Despite making 13 appearances at the Miami Open, Monfils has only ever gone as far as the quarterfinals there, a feat he managed in 2016.
That year, he lost to former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in the last eight.
Last season, Monfils reached the fourth round of the Miami Open, but ultimately fell to Sebastian Korda in three sets.
Monfils has not yet received a wildcard for the 2026 edition of the Miami Open.
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