Daniil Medvedev reacts after Gael Monfils seems to retire from tennis, ‘it’s a bit of a unusual story’

Daniil Medvedev has praised his ATP rival Gael Monfils after his obvious retirement from tennis.

Very unexpectedly, Monfils‘ identify has appeared in the Retired Players List on the web site of the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). He was set to retire from tennis at the finish of the 2026 season, but the obvious resolution has actually come sooner than many expected.

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That contains Medvedev, who was tasked with discussing the iconic Frenchman after reaching the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters. He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-5 in the spherical of 16 of the ATP Masters 1000 match in China.

Daniil Medvedev reacts to ‘unusual’ Gael Monfils retirement scenario

Told by the media in Shanghai that Monfils is formally retiring, Medvedev said: “It’s a bit of a strange story, so maybe you can tell me more, I don’t know. Who put him on this list? Does he want to retire?”

And when he was given a response of “Yes”, the Russian replied: “Okay, then it’s good.” Then tasked with giving his ideas on Monfils as a participant and a particular person, Medvedev said: “Super fun. Super tough to play against. Especially, I’m going to say something, especially when you are up in the score it’s very tough to play against him. Because he relaxes and starts going for everything, tweeners and stuff like this.

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“But, look, I hope, first of all, that he’s okay, because for sure I would guess he wished to play Paris and stuff. So if he retired, I do not know what’s occurring, but I hope that he’s having fun with himself, that he’s feeling good. Amazing profession, and most likely one of not many guys that most likely there is not one man who is going to say dangerous issues about him.”

Monfils and Medvedev met five times throughout their ATP careers, with the Russian claiming three wins and suffering two losses. If indeed it is the end of the road for the Frenchman, he will retire with a 588-360 win-loss record. His final match will have arrived in the second round of the US Open against Learner Tien, which he lost 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.

Daniil Medvedev discusses ATP Finals pursuit

It is a important victory in Shanghai for Medvedev, who has stored his goals of taking part in at this 12 months’s ATP Finals alive. The Russian is eighth in the Race to Turin, with the high eight gamers set to qualify for the year-end occasion. One place has, however, been made out there by Jannik Sinner ending his 2026 season early due to damage.

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Sharing how it feels to pursue a spot proper until the last minute, Medvedev said: “Look, it’s all about outcomes. If I performed robust in Canada, quarters of, and continued my outcomes here, and did not lose 200 factors somewhere last week, I would most likely be formally certified. So it’s just about outcomes. If you lose first spherical, perhaps you are not in Turin. If you make quarters every Masters of the 12 months, you most likely are in Turin. So just attempting my best, and if I’m there, excellent. If not, Maldives is good as properly.”

Medvedev is among a quantity of gamers chasing a treasured spot, with only Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz having certified so far. Alex de Minaur and Rafael Jodar, also into the Shanghai quarterfinals, are scorching on the heels of the Russian. However, Ben Shelton, Flavio Cobolli, Frances Tiafoe and Arthur Fils, who are all forward of Medvedev in the standings, suffered exits earlier in the match.