Gael Monfils Dedicates Emotional Paris Farewell to Daughter

Gael Monfils delivered an emotional farewell at the Paris Masters on November 3, 2026, dedicating his final appearance in front of his home crowd to his four-year-old daughter, Skai. The French Tennis star used the occasion to share a heartfelt message about fatherhood, kindness and his hopes for his daughter’s future, while also remembering his relationship with her mother, Elina Svitolina, despite their separation.

Monfils’ retirement had already become official on October 5, when the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) added his name to its retired list, ending the possibility of the farewell appearances he had planned in Lyon and Paris. Although his professional career had formally concluded, Paris Masters organisers persuaded the 40-year-old to attend a special ceremony at the Plenitude Arena in front of his home supporters.

His father, Rufin, watched the ceremony from the stands, while his mother stayed at home with Skai. However, the four-year-old remained at the centre of the most personal part of Monfils’ farewell speech. The Frenchman revealed that his daughter had specifically asked him to talk about her during the ceremony.

Gael Monfils dedicates Paris Masters farewell to daughter Skai

Monfils began his emotional message by recalling a conversation with Skai, who had noticed that her father did not speak about her often enough. He shared her playful demand and addressed her directly, hoping she would eventually watch the recording of his farewell.

“My little girl, Skai, wanted me to talk about her. She told me, ‘Daddy, you don’t talk about me enough!’ And she’s only four years old! So, Skai, if you’re watching this, here I am, talking about you. Maybe you’ll see this later on,” Monfils said, translated from French.

The tennis player also described how he explained to his daughter why people regularly approached him to say hello. He told her that people responded to his kindness and encouraged her to treat others with the same warmth and respect.

“She asked me why people kept coming up to say hello to me, and I explained that it’s because Daddy is very kind, and that she should be kind, too. She replied that she would be very kind as well. Then, she told me she wanted to be a champion,” he continued.

The conversation soon turned towards Skai’s ambitions. Monfils explained that he asked her what kind of champion she wanted to become, leading to an amusing exchange that brought a personal and light-hearted moment to the emotional occasion.

Skai wants to become a champion at everything

According to Monfils, his daughter initially had an ambitious answer when he asked her what she wanted to achieve. She wanted to become a champion at everything before considering a more specific goal.

“I asked her what she wanted to be a champion of, and she said, ‘Everything!’ I told her she’d have to choose, and the first thing she blurted out was, ‘I want to be a champion at talking!’ Then she reconsidered and said she’d like to be a tennis champion, so she’ll surely have the right aptitude for that,” Gael Monfils added.

The exchange brought a smile to the farewell ceremony and highlighted the close bond between father and daughter. Monfils used the moment to express his hope that Skai would follow her interests and find success in whichever path she eventually chooses.

Although she has expressed an interest in tennis, the Frenchman made it clear that his biggest wish was for her to become a champion in life, regardless of the field she pursues.

Monfils remembers Elina Svitolina on symbolic date

One of the most emotional moments came when Monfils explained why November 3 held particular significance for his family. Despite confirming that his separation from Elina Svitolina had influenced his decision to retire, he acknowledged that the date of his Paris farewell marked an important anniversary in their relationship.

Monfils revealed that November 3, 2026, was exactly eight years since he and Svitolina first got together. He described the coincidence as a symbolic date for their family and dedicated the farewell to Skai.

“Skai, I dedicate this farewell to you. It took place in Paris, on November 3, 2026. As a side note, today marks exactly eight years since I first got together with your mom [Elina Svitolina], so it’s a very symbolic date for our family,” he said.

His message acknowledged the importance of Svitolina in his personal life and the family they built together. Although the couple have separated, Monfils’ words showed that the anniversary continued to carry emotional significance for their family.

He then reflected on his own journey as a tennis player, describing his connection with Paris and the supporters who had followed his career. He expressed his hope that Skai might one day experience the same arena as a competitor.

“Skai, your dad was a tennis player; he loved tennis, grew up in Paris, and had a wonderful audience. I hope with all my heart that you become a champion in whatever you choose to pursue, and I truly hope that, one day, you’ll be able to play here in Paris,” he added.

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal pay tribute

Monfils’ farewell also featured messages from several prominent figures in tennis. A video tribute was shown on the arena’s screens, bringing together players who had competed against him or admired his career.

Among those who sent messages was Carlos Alcaraz, who described the Frenchman as a source of inspiration for younger players. The Spanish star praised both Monfils’ athletic ability and his personality away from the court.

“Gael, thank you for everything. For me, you were a true inspiration, a great athlete. Most important thing, a great person off the court. That is why you are a great inspiration for the young talent. Thank you very much and we will miss you,” Alcaraz said.

Novak Djokovic, one of Monfils’ longest-standing rivals, also shared a warm tribute. The Serbian praised his personality and described him as one of the most popular and likeable players on the tour.

“What a career you had. One of the most likeable guys, fun guys out there. There’s no one that doesn’t like you Gael,” Djokovic said.

Rafael Nadal also reflected on the long history he shared with Monfils. The two players had known each other since their younger days and went on to enjoy lengthy and successful careers on the professional circuit.

“I remember first time I see you when we were very small kids and we made it. We had very long and successful careers. So, many congratulations for everything,” Nadal said.

Roger Federer, Jannik Sinner and other tennis stars join tribute

The video tribute included messages from several other leading names in the sport, including Roger Federer, Stan Wawrinka, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev. Their messages added to the recognition of Monfils’ contribution to tennis over a long professional career.

Former French players Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet and Benoit Paire also joined Monfils on court during the ceremony. Their presence highlighted his place in French tennis and the relationships he had built with fellow players over the years.

Monfils became known for his athleticism, entertaining style and ability to produce spectacular shots. His performances and personality made him a popular figure among tennis fans, while his longevity allowed him to compete against several generations of players.

Gael Monfils retires with 13 ATP titles and 588 tour-level wins

Monfils brings his professional tennis career to a close with 13 ATP titles and 588 tour-level victories. His retirement marks the end of a long journey that included major tournaments, memorable performances and rivalries with some of the biggest names in the sport.

Although his planned farewell appearances in Lyon and Paris were affected by the formalisation of his retirement, the Paris Masters ceremony gave him an opportunity to say goodbye to the home crowd that had supported him throughout his career.

The occasion was about more than his achievements on the court. By dedicating the farewell to Skai and remembering the significance of his relationship with Svitolina, Monfils offered a glimpse into the personal side of his life beyond professional tennis.

His final message to his daughter captured the spirit of the evening: a hope that she would become a champion in whatever she chose to pursue and perhaps one day play on the same Paris stage where her father received such a memorable farewell.