Gael Monfils Dedicates Emotional Paris Farewell to Daughter Skai and Her Tennis Dreams

During his farewell ceremony at the Paris Masters on November 3, 2026, 40-year-old Gael Monfils dedicated the entire evening to his four-year-old daughter, Skai, sharing on court that she told him she wants to be a tennis champion.

The former world No. 6 stepped onto the court between the two night-session matches to bid his formal farewell to professional tennis.

He did not compete in the tournament draw itself, having abruptly ended his playing career weeks earlier.

Instead, the beloved French entertainer used the occasion to address his adoring home fans and shine a light entirely on his child.

The ceremony took place in the French capital where Monfils first grew up and discovered his passion for the sport.

Speaking directly into the microphone in his native French, Monfils revealed a tender conversation he recently shared with Skai.

According to the Frenchman, his young daughter had playfully called him out for keeping her out of the spotlight.

"My little girl, Skai, wanted me to talk about her," Monfils shared with the audience.

He recalled her exact words: "Daddy, you don’t talk about me enough!"

Monfils smiled as he acknowledged the humorous demand coming from a four-year-old.

"So, Skai, if you’re watching this, here I am, talking about you," Monfils said on court.

He added that she might watch the video of his speech later on when she grows older.

A DAUGHTER'S AMBITION

Monfils explained to the crowd how curious Skai had become about his public life and fame.

She recently asked him why strangers constantly approached him to say hello wherever they went.

Monfils explained to her that people do so because her father is very kind.

He taught her that kindness is something she should practice in her own life as well.

Skai readily answered that she would be very kind too.

Their conversation then took a delightful turn when the young girl declared her grand future goals.

Skai told her father that she wanted to become a champion.

When Monfils asked what she wanted to be a champion of, the four-year-old replied that she wanted to be a champion of everything.

Monfils told her that she would eventually have to choose a specific path.

Her first reaction was to announce that she wanted to be a champion at talking.

Shortly after, she reconsidered her choice and revealed an ambition much closer to her family heritage.

Skai informed her father that she would actually like to become a tennis champion.

Monfils noted with a grin that his expressive daughter certainly possesses the natural aptitude for that path.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE IN PARIS

The tone of the speech shifted from playful storytelling to heartfelt emotion as Monfils looked ahead to Skai's future.

"Skai, I dedicate this farewell to you," Monfils said before the Parisian crowd.

He noted the exact date of November 3, 2026, framing it as an enduring memory captured for her.

The Frenchman noted that the date was deeply symbolic for their family history.

It marked exactly eight years since he first got together with her mother, Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina.

Monfils reminded Skai that her father was a Parisian tennis player who loved the game and was blessed with a wonderful audience.

He then expressed his deepest parental wish for her athletic ambitions.

"I hope with all my heart that you become a champion in whatever you choose to pursue, and I truly hope that, one day, you’ll be able to play here in Paris."

The moving tribute resonated deeply across the stadium as fans celebrated the next generation of the tennis family.

A CAREER SPANNING TWENTY-TWO YEARS

The Paris Masters ceremony marked the official finish line of a professional journey that spanned more than two decades.

World Feed commentator Mikey Perera provided live translations of the speech as Monfils thanked the crowd for their unwavering loyalty.

"Thanks to you," Monfils told the spectators.

"It’s not an easy moment for me," he admitted honestly.

He expressed his profound gratitude to the Parisian public for walking alongside him throughout 22 seasons on the professional tour.

Monfils described those 22 years as an incredible adventure that exceeded anything he could have dreamed of as a boy.

During his career, the athletic showman captured 13 ATP singles titles and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 6.

He took time to thank the mentors, coaches, and staff who guided him through the highs and lows of the sport.

Monfils also acknowledged his parents, noting that his mother was taking care of Skai while his father was present inside the arena.

He recalled that he first attended the Paris venue in the year 2000.

Four years later, in 2004, he competed in the tournament for the first time.

Standing on the court in 2026, he credited his mother and father for making that entire journey possible.

Monfils also extended gratitude to tournament director Cedric Pioline and French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton.

He revealed that both officials were the primary reason he found the courage to attend the ceremony and say his goodbyes in person.

NAVIGATING A PAINFUL SEPARATION

The farewell celebration arrived during a period of immense personal turbulence for the veteran tennis star.

Monfils had quietly retired from tennis on October 5 when he formally informed the International Tennis Integrity Agency.

His original plan had been to play one last tournament in front of his home fans at the Paris Masters.

However, a sudden personal development forced an abrupt end to his competitive schedule.

On October 19, Monfils and Svitolina jointly announced on social media that they were divorcing after more than five years of marriage.

The couple had previously gotten engaged in April 2021 before tying the knot in July of that same year.

They welcomed their daughter Skai into the world on October 15, 2022.

Both players confirmed that their painful split was the direct reason Monfils walked away from tennis before the tournament began.

Monfils admitted that the emotional strain left him struggling to train or even pick up a tennis racket.

He openly confessed to eating less and finding everyday routines difficult while coming to terms with the separation.

Despite the end of their marriage, Monfils and Svitolina pledged to work together to co-parent their daughter.

Svitolina had initially faced online backlash after citing the enduring emotional scars of the Russia-Ukraine War as a contributing factor to the marital strain.

Monfils publicly defended his estranged wife against the criticism, urging understanding for the heavy toll she carried.

Nevertheless, onlookers noted that Monfils made no direct mention of Svitolina during his retirement speech, keeping the focus squarely on Skai.

OVERCOMING FEAR TO SAY GOODBYE

The emotional weight of recent weeks almost prevented Monfils from appearing in Paris at all.

On the Wednesday night following the ceremony, Monfils took to Instagram to share his internal struggles with his supporters.

He openly admitted that he had felt terrified to face the crowd.