Australian Open 2022: Monfils trusts his time will come to claim Grand Slam title

Former world number six Gael Monfils lost 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 2-6 to seventh seed Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Published : Jan 25, 2022 22:44 IST

Gael Monfils plays a forehand in his quarterfinal match against Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Gael Monfils plays a forehand in his quarterfinal match against Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.
lightbox-info

Gael Monfils plays a forehand in his quarterfinal match against Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Gael Monfils believes he still stands a chance of winning a Grand Slam before ending his career, the Frenchman said after losing to seventh seed Matteo Berrettini in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Former world number six Monfils enjoyed an excellent buildup to the Australian Open, not dropping a set en route to his 11th tour title in a tune-up event in Adelaide.

However, it was Berrettini who found a higher gear when needed, overcoming a heroic fightback from Monfils to script a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-2 win after an intense battle, with Monfils left to rue another missed opportunity for a maiden Grand Slam final.

"All the time in my career, I never made the good decision," Monfils told reporters at Melbourne Park.

READ:

"I'm fine with that. I must say I'm very fine with that, but I believe I can click once. Before I finish, I believe that once I will do it."

Monfils reached the last four at the 2008 French Open for the first time and repeated the feat eight years later at the 2016 US Open, but he has never advanced past the semi-final stage of a Grand Slam.

"I need one time. I don't need, you know -- I won't win 20 (Grand Slams), but one time, just one time I need," Monfils said. "It's hard. It's been 20 years that I'm not doing the good thing, but who knows? This year it might click.

"(Win) important points, bring the A game... It's easy to say but inside the court, (you have to) make the good choice.

"Either don't rush or you don't go for it. It's always a split second, a split second and boom, it's gone."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment