“My dream, you know, is to be old and with a lot of kids and healthy,” he said back in January, a voice from Down Under that revealed just how cherished Gaël Monfils truly is. At 38, the Frenchman, renowned for his electrifying flair, crowd-pulling charisma, and a career carved despite the shadow of the Big-3, has always been more than just a player; he’s been a showman. Yet now, as the relentless US Open grind looms and its Toronto warm-up fades with bitter echoes, the ATP veteran makes a heartbreaking career move born from disappointment and the unforgiving demands of time.

The former World No. 6 stepped onto the National Bank Open court in Toronto with the weight of years and expectations pressing on his shoulders. He stumbled early, dropping the 1st set, yet true to his nature, Gaël Monfils fought back, clawing his way to claim the second and ignite the crowd’s hope. But in the deciding act, as the tension peaked, he faltered. Four match points slipped through his grasp, and Chilean qualifier Tomás Barrios seized the chance, turning the tide to win 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3) after a draining two hours and forty-eight minutes.

Then came the blow that pierced deeper than the loss itself. Max Gao, a journalist covering the tournament, revealed on X: “Gaël Monfils just confirmed that today was his last time playing in Toronto — it looks like he will retire in the next couple of years — so this bittersweet moment while he was walking off the court was his way of saying goodbye to this crowd. Merci, @Gael_Monfils.” The words felt like the quiet toll of an ending bell.

The signs were there. After a first-round exit at the Citi Open and now this heartbreaker, Monfils lingered on Centre Court, tracing his hand along the surface, a gesture heavy with finality, before offering one last wave to a city that had cheered him for years.

Gaël Monfils faced a grueling battle against Chilean qualifier Tomás Barrios Vera, but the long stretch without a consistent match rhythm ultimately showed. Despite his experience, the World No. 48 struggled to find stability, scattering errors in a clash where his opponent, playing just his second Masters 1000 Main draw, swung freely with nothing to lose.

Gaël Monfils, who once opened up about critics attempting to break his faith in his dreams, struggled with a faltering serve in this match, a weakness that ultimately cost him. He recorded 15 double faults, amassed 38 unforced errors, and managed only a 51% first-serve percentage, well below Barrios’ 63%. These lapses became decisive, tipping the balance toward the Chilean and leaving Monfils unable to capitalize on crucial moments.

This latest defeat reflects a troubling trend. Monfils has secured just one victory in his last six matches, and with age pressing at 38, conversations about retirement feel closer than ever. His exit in Canada deepened those questions, particularly after a poignant gesture: he kissed the baseline before leaving the court, an act many interpreted as a silent farewell to the Canadian Open.

Statistics further highlight his place in a narrowing field. Only five players aged 38 or older remain inside the top 200. Fabio Fognini, 38 and ranked No. 200, and Richard Gasquet, 39 and ranked No. 182, have already played their final matches this year. The remaining veterans, Novak Djokovic (38, No. 6), Monfils (38, No. 48), and Stan Wawrinka (40, No. 152), stand as the last of their era.

And while Monfils, known for always standing by his beloved’s side, let his kiss to the court speak volumes, he still voiced his thoughts afterward. He shared his candid thoughts following the painful loss, giving voice to the emotions hidden behind that fleeting goodbye.

Gaël Monfils reflects after possibly final Toronto match

Gaël Monfils began the match in Toronto with a burst of determination, immediately breaking Tomás Barrios Vera’s serve after battling through five break points in the Chilean’s opening service game. Within minutes, he surged ahead 3-0, setting the tone for what seemed like a dominant performance. Yet momentum in tennis is fragile. Barrios, unshaken, fought his way back, capturing six of the next seven games to snatch the first set 6-4.

The second set unfolded like a tug-of-war. Both players had opportunities to break, but neither could seize them early. At 4-3, Barrios finally edged ahead, only to have Monfils strike back instantly, leveling the score at 4-4. Riding that wave, the Frenchman unleashed two consecutive breaks and closed the set 6-4, forcing a decider that promised drama.

In the third, both competitors sharpened their serves, locking into a battle where chances were scarce. Monfils landed an impressive 90% of his first serves, compared to Barrios’ 80%, but the numbers hid a harsher truth. Twice: at 4-5 and 5-6, Monfils held double match points, four in total, yet failed to convert. Barrios clung on, pushing the set into a tie-break where fatigue weighed heavily on the Frenchman. With steadier legs and unshaken resolve, the Chilean claimed a career-defining win, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(3).

Afterward, Monfils faced the media with raw honesty. “There’s no explanation, it’s the last one,” he admitted. “It will be two years to play (again) in Toronto, so pretty much I won’t be able to play it. Obviously I think the next one is too old for me, so I think it was the last time I’ll play here.”

He reflected further, acknowledging the emotional weight. “I actually thought at the end, and I was like, ‘Well, I think it’s, unfortunately, but the last time I think I would play here.’” The reality hit harder knowing that the National Bank Open alternates annually between Toronto and Montreal, meaning this stage will not return for him until 2027, well beyond the horizon he envisions for his career.

Monfils did not shy away from critiquing his performance. “Without taking credit from my opponent, (it was a) bad match from my side, not the quality that I want, not the level that I want to perform,” he said.

Still, even with the weight of time and missed chances, his resolve flickered strong. “(I need to) try to work hard, feel this winning (habit come) back a little bit and try to still believe. Keep my head up, even though it’s not easy, but I will try my best.”

Whether that can best fuel one last deep US Open run remains uncertain, but Monfils’s words reveal a man unwilling to surrender without one final fight, always!