“Some Will Say that I Have Accomplished Nothing, That I Am a Clown”

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 23, 2023

After a little bit of unwelcome drama on Friday night time at Laver Cup, Gael Monfils has taken to social media to elucidate his emotions about his weird, heated change with Felix Auger-Aliassime.

First, a little bit of backstory.

Monfils and Auger-Aliassime have been on utterly totally different pages concerning the tone of competitors at Laver Cup. 37-year-old Monfils was offended with Auger-Aliassime who known as him out for delay of recreation, as a result of he was underneath the impression that Laver Cup was a contest to be performed with extra of an exhibition-like really feel.

“They called me and told me ‘It’s so nice, you can be free,’’ Monfils told Team Europe vice-captain Tomas Enqvist on court during a changeover. “I don’t know… me I’m here to have fun,” he added.

Auger-Aliassime and his teammates have been of a special thoughts.

“Laver Cup is a tournament that I think has the potential to be taken very seriously, not just now but also in the future, so we’re taking this seriously,” Auger-Aliassime mentioned after the match.

Team World Vice Captain Patrick McEnroe spoke in regards to the drama as effectively, saying: “I have never ever once thought that this is an exhibition, ever. I have never seen one player, and all the all-time greats have been in this competition, I have never seen one of them play like it was an exhibition for one point.”

Monfils didn’t do a press convention final night time, however did really feel it essential to state his case.

“I am tired of these incessant and futile controversies,” he wrote in French. “Some folks appear to get excited over trifles. I’m irritated by those that make hasty judgments. Some may assume that as a result of I smile and have enjoyable, I’m not severe. Sure, my imaginative and prescient could also be totally different, however I all the time attempt to observe the rules given to me.

Je suis lassé de ces polémiques incessantes et futiles. Certaines personnes semblent s’enflammer pour des broutilles. Je suis agacé par ceux qui portent des jugements hâtifs. Certains pourraient penser que, parce que je souris et que je m’amuse, je ne suis pas sérieux. Certes, ma… pic.twitter.com/CG2N0tkU1D

— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) September 23, 2023

Nobody is questioning Monfils as a participant or an individual. If something he was a bit uninformed in regards to the nature of Laver Cup. Now he is aware of higher.

The Frenchman elaborated additional.

“At 37, I just try to make the most of every moment,” he mentioned. “When I was asked to participate in the Laver Cup, I was honored. With my current ranking, outside the top 100 at this age, I even thought it was a joke. But I take this opportunity very seriously, for the event, for my team and especially for me. Traveling to Vancouver and leaving my family again is not the easiest thing. But, despite everything, I continue to practice my profession with passion and sincerity, as I have always done. And, without tongue in cheek, I must admit that I am very well paid for this and that the conditions are exceptional.

“I know, some will say that I have accomplished nothing, that I am a clown… But the truth is that I am happy and fulfilled. I want to say that the Laver Cup is a fantastic event, and I plan to make the most of the end of my weekend. Let’s go Team Europe, let’s catch up Team World 💪🏾!”