Match Reaction
Monfils bids farewell to Madrid: ‘We don’t give up’
Frenchman lost to Ugo Carabelli on Thursday
April 23, 2026
Mutua Madrid Open
Gael Monfils bids farewell to the Madrid crowd on Thursday.
By ATP Staff
Gael Monfils’ final appearance at the Mutua Madrid Open ended in a straight-sets defeat on Thursday when he lost 3-6, 4-6 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the opening round.
Earlier in the day, the Frenchman’s wife, WTA star Elina Svitolina, also lost her opening match in Madrid. It was not the ending Monfils had hoped for. But despite the disappointment, the 39-year-old kept his perspective, departing the Spanish capital filled with a strong sense of gratitude.
“Not the best day for the Monfils family today,” the Frenchman posted on X. “Complicated match for me, I would’ve liked to do better for my last Madrid.
“15th time competing here, a huge thank you to @MutuaMadridOpen for all these years and for having given me the chance to come back.”
Monfils’ best runs at the Caja Magica came in 2008 and 2010, when he reached the quarter-finals, falling to the eventual champions Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, respectively. The former World No. 6 finished his Madrid career with a 16-14 tournament record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, having faced every member of the ‘Big Four’.
Despite his defeat on Thursday, Monfils is already shifting his focus. The 13-time tour-level titlist shared his excitement about returning to Roland Garros, which begins next month.
“Now I’m going to do everything to arrive in the best possible form for Roland Garros,” he wrote. “J-31, I can’t wait to share this unique moment with you all.
“I’ve already seen a few messages, thank you for being there even on days that are a little tougher like today—it really touches me. We don’t give up.”
