Gaël Monfils, the charismatic French tennis star, has played his final Grand Slam match at the 2026 US Open. The 40-year-old, known for his entertaining style and remarkable athleticism, lost in the second round to American Learner Tien, concluding a Grand Slam career that spanned 201 matches and 131 wins—the most by any Frenchman in major history.
Monfils’ retirement plans, however, have taken an unexpected turn. Instead of staying within the tennis world, he has revealed his intention to pursue a career in finance specifically in wealth management for a Swiss company. This decision comes as a surprise to many fans who expected him to remain involved in tennis, perhaps as a coach or commentator.
From tennis court to finance office
Monfils’ transition to finance is not a spontaneous decision. He has been preparing for this career shift for some time, completing internships and studying wealth management and client relations. As early as 2024, he expressed his interest in private banking and wealth management, even passing relevant exams while dealing with injuries.
By March 2026, Monfils’ plans had become more concrete. He had completed another internship near his home and had been taking online courses for years. ‘The next chapter will be even better, I’m sure of it,’ he said. ‘Normally, next year, I’ll be working in finance. Things are taking shape.’
Monfils’ personality may also suit his new career. He describes himself as strict, serious, and detail-oriented away from the tennis court—qualities that could be beneficial in the finance industry. ‘I’m a little bit maniac,’ he admitted, pointing to his attention to detail.
Tennis will always be a part of his life
Despite his new career path, Monfils will not be leaving tennis entirely. His wife, Elina Svitolina, is still an active player, and he plans to support her as she continues her career. ‘I will always have a look on tennis because I love the sport and my wife is playing,’ he said. ‘I don’t think, at least next year, I will do so much about tennis. But I’ll definitely be around, no matter what, for Elina a little bit.’
Svitolina, who is still competing in the US Open women’s singles draw, has been a source of support for Monfils during his farewell year. She revealed that he first mentioned his retirement plans around September 2025. ‘Being next to him and seeing what he’s going through is very special,’ she said. ‘For me, it’s also emotional to see the way that he’s handling this… and I try to be there every step of the way and try to support him.’
A memorable farewell
Monfils’ final US Open match was an emotional one. He opened the tournament by beating Adolfo Daniel Vallejo on his 40th birthday, becoming the oldest man to win a match at the tournament since Jimmy Connors in 1992. After his loss to Tien, he was presented with a special framed picture during an on-court farewell ceremony.
‘It’s been an absolute honor for me to play all these years in front of you,’ Monfils told the crowd. ‘You guys give me great love, so you know I will never forget that. Thank you very much for everything. Thank you, New York.’
Tien, who had previously faced Monfils in Montreal, also shared a special moment with the Frenchman. ‘I told him when we played in Montreal, ‘I hope we get to play one more time,” Tien said. ‘And I know that we didn’t have that many opportunities left, so I’m super happy it happened here.’
As Monfils embarks on this new chapter in his life, he leaves behind a legacy as one of the most beloved and entertaining players in tennis history. His fans will miss his presence on the court, but they can take comfort in knowing that he is pursuing a new passion in the world of finance.
