They laughed at me and nobody believed me. Veteran Monfils is coming back up. Will he play in the Olympics?

He has been on the circuit for twenty years. Although he has never been in a Grand Slam final, he is one of the big names in world tennis. Gael Monfils has taken repeated breaks from tennis. But he’s also had returns to it. Why has he been the subject of ridicule? Will his Olympic dream come true?

Monfils and his achievements

French tennis player Gael Monfils is currently the 40th player on the ATP rankings. But his maximum is much higher. In the 2016 season, he basked in the sixth place of the ranking.

During his career, he managed to triumph at twelve tennis events. What the thirty-seven-year-old player lacks is a more significant Grand Slam success.

His previous best is two final appearances at the majors. In 2008, he surprised by advancing to the top four players at his home French Open. He has never repeated that in his career.

Monfils’ next Grand Slam semi-final appearance came eight years later. So the Frenchman was in the company of Djokovic and Wawrinka when he made it through to the last four players at the US Open.

In his entire career, he has not tasted significant success at the legendary Wimbledon. He never even made it to the quarterfinals at the All England Club.

Surprising fans

So Monfils has experience to spare. Still, many things surprise him. For example, he admits to being disappointed by the reactions of many fans on social media.

“Theyall laughed at me,” says the Paris native, describing the situation as he longed to move back up from the 400th position on the rankings. The tennis player doesn’t understand why the public couldn’t just let him dream his dream.

Monfils is not yet looking to end his career, although he understands that he will no longer be attacking the very top positions. He just needs to win some matches there and some matches elsewhere. Only legends win everything.

But one big dream may be coming true for the French tennis player. His latest results so far open up the possibility of competing in his home Olympics. Looks like Monflis will be the one having the last laugh.

Sources: ATP, Tennis Majors