Gael Monfils: breaking down his title chances on the 2019 ATP Tour
By Harry Floyd
French tennis veteran Gael Monfils is a fan favorite on the ATP Tour. Will he win an ATP singles title this year on tour?
Defeating 2018 Sofia Open runner-up Viktor Troicki in his opener this week, French tennis star Gael Monfils is off to a fine start at the event. The 32-year-old Monfils remains a fan favorite on the ATP Tour and is still capable of displaying some of the best athleticism in men’s singles tennis. The big question though… can his play translate into a title in 2019?
Monfils earned his seventh career ATP singles title last year, tasting glory in Doha. There, he knocked out rising tennis star Andrey Rublev in the finals.
Looking at his career on the ATP Tour, Monfils has never won more than one singles title in any given year. He has three overall since 2014. If he’s healthy and competing, odds are that he will win at least one this year.
Here is a breakdown of each of his singles titles over the years. A much needed win at the Citi Open in Washington came back in 2016. Reinvigorating his presence on tour, Monfils reemerged as a top player. He has seen a similar pattern throughout his playing days where he will occasionally go a few years without a title win.
Fighting for titles will not get any easier in the coming weeks and months. Peers of Monfils in the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are red hot right now on tour. Djokovic is coming off of yet another Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open where he defeated Rafa in the finals. Djokovic is the player to beat on the ATP Tour. Monfils and others, however, can take advantage when Nole is not in action.
Recently, it came to light that Gael Monfils is dating tennis star Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian is the current WTA Finals champion in women’s singles. If things go well for both in 2019, they should each be celebrating success throughout the year.