Former world number six Gael Monfils has been appointed captain of the France Davis Cup team, just a month after bringing his 22-year professional playing career to an end. The French Tennis Federation confirmed the appointment on Saturday, marking a swift return to the sport for the 40-year-old in a non-playing capacity.
Monfils takes over the role from Paul-Henri Mathieu, who guided the French team to the quarterfinals of the competition last year. The newly appointed captain will begin his tenure when France gets its next Davis Cup campaign underway with the qualifiers in February.
Expressing his pride in taking up the position, Monfils spoke about his long-standing affinity for representing his country on the international stage. He said that the blue jersey meant a great deal to him and that he was honored to step into the leadership role.
Monfils represented France across eight editions of the Davis Cup as a player, compiling a record of 12 wins in 15 singles matches. One of his most notable performances in the competition came during the 2014 final against Switzerland, where he defeated Roger Federer in straight sets, though France ultimately lost the tie.
While Monfils missed out on selection when France secured its tenth Davis Cup title in 2017, he now aims to guide the national team back to glory from the sidelines. He stated his intention to build a collaborative project and create the momentum necessary to win titles together.
The French Tennis Federation expressed confidence in the appointment, highlighting his infectious energy and enthusiasm as valuable assets for the squad. Gilles Moretton, the president of the federation, welcomed the transition and praised the former player's dedication to French tennis.
During his playing career, Monfils reached two Grand Slam semifinals and achieved a career-high ranking of world number six. He played his final competitive match at the US Open in September, exiting the tournament in the second round before receiving a retirement ceremony in Paris earlier this week.
To assist him in his new duties, Monfils will be supported by former French players Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet on the coaching and leadership staff. The federation also thanked outgoing captain Mathieu for his three years of commitment to the role.
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