Gael Monfils crashes into billboard, but battles on at Roland Garros | ATP Tour
Roland Garros
Monfils crashes into billboard, but battles on at Roland Garros
Frenchman falls during fifth point of opening-round match
May 27, 2025
Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images
Gael Monfils suffers a nasty fall in the first game of his opening-round match at Roland Garros.
By ATP Staff
Gael Monfils suffered a scary fall on Tuesday in the early stages of his first-round match at Roland Garros.
During the fifth point of his clash against Hugo Dellien, the Frenchman was chasing down a forehand when he tripped and crashed into the sidewall. Monfils let go of his racquet while falling onto the clay, with his right knee slamming into the billboard. He remained seated on the court, grimacing in pain while the chair umpire checked on him.
The 38-year-old, No. 42 in the PIF ATP Rankings, took a medical timeout and received treatment on his right knee and both hands. Early signs were troubling as Monfils dropped serve the following game and eventually fell to a 5-2 deficit. Yet Monfils fought his way back to get back on serve before Dellien secured the first set 6-4 inside Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Making his 18th main-draw appearance at his home Slam, Monfils is aiming to record his 40th Roland Garros win and tie Yannick Noah for most wins at the event among Frenchmen in the Open Era. The home favourite boasts a 16-7 season record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Tuesday marks his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Dellien.
