Gael Monfils was forced to retire while playing Ben Shelton (Image: Getty)
has shared what Gael Monfils is really like after their fourth-round clash.
The 38-year-old Frenchman was forced to retire from their match on Monday while trailing by two sets to one.
Afterwards, Shelton opened up on a private chat he shared with the former world No. 6.
Monfils has been enjoying a resurgent start to the season. He picked up his 13th career title in Auckland and stormed into the second week of the , upsetting No. 4 seed en route.
But all the tennis caught up with him on Monday, and he was forced to retire from his match with Shelton while the American was leading 7-6(3) 6-7(3) 7-6(2) 1-0.
It was all love between the pair at the net as Monfils hugged Shelton before embracing his rival’s father and coach, Bryan.
After reaching his third Grand Slam quarter-final, Shelton admitted that it was tough to see Monfils bow out via retirement as he shed light on their off-court relationship.
Ben Shelton shared the pep talks he received from Gael Monfils (Image: Getty)
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“It’s always tough. The little kid in me always wants to see Gael win. I always want to see him hit the highlight shot and trick shot,” the 22-year-old said.
Shelton also revealed that Monfils spoke with him privately earlier in his career during a tough stretch where he was struggling to get out of the early rounds of tournaments.
He continued: “Gael has given me a few pep talks over the last few years, at certain times whether I was playing great and doing great and playing a lot, or maybe it was that 2023 run where I lost a lot of matches in a row or lost early in a lot of tournaments in a row.
“He said to me, it was important for him in his career that he found the places that he loved to play, and he focused on those weeks and doing really well in those weeks and knowing there are places that he doesn’t love to play and not stressing as much.”
Shelton has enjoyed seeing Monfils continue to find joy in the sport at the age of 38 and is keen to follow his advice – even if he can’t see himself playing for as long.
“That’s kind of the way that he’s been able to keep the love for the sport, and you are seeing this. He’s still entertaining crowds at 38 years old, which is remarkable,” the world No. 20 added.
“Obviously he’s done it in a way where he can still love it and enjoy it. It’s long seasons. It’s certainly an easy sport to get burnt out. Individual sport, it’s not like you have a team who can pick up the slack if you’re a vet and you can play less minutes.
“No, you’ve got to be out there for every point. So yeah, I’m not sure where I’ll be at 38.”
Shelton will now face unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego for a spot in the last four.