When one tries to think about the GOAT of Tennis, the usual suspects pop up: you’ve got Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. The acclaimed Big Three.
But for Naomi Osaka, a different name springs up: Gael Monfils.
Monfils, now 39, is playing his final Roland-Garros after announcing that he plans to retire at the end of the 2026 season.
Ahead of the start of Roland-Garros, Naomi Osaka used her pre-tournament press conference to deliver a heartfelt tribute to the retiring French star.
“Honestly, for me, seeing representation is so important,” Osaka said on Saturday. “On the women’s side, growing up, I had Serena and Venus, so I was so grateful to them. On the men’s side, I always looked up to him and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for such a long
time. I think it’s just so important.”
Born in Osaka to a Haitian father and Japanese mother, the four-time Grand Slam champion has often spoken about navigating tennis as a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport.
For her, Monfils represented visibility, possibility, and belonging.
She also pointed to the growing wave of Black French talent emerging on tour, crediting Monfils as a major influence behind it.
“Obviously, there is a wave of Black French guys coming up,” Osaka said. “I can see that he’s inspired, hopefully he’s inspired, I know for sure he’s inspired a lot of players here.”
That next generation is already making noise at Roland-Garros. Arthur Fils entered (and quickly pulled out) the tournament as France’s top-ranked men’s player and the No. 17 seed, while Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard faces Novak Djokovic in Sunday night’s marquee first-round clash.
Osaka was also part of Monfils’ tribute ceremony earlier this week, joining players including Diane Parry and Elina Svitolina on court in Paris.
The two had shared the court before as well, partnering at the 2025 US Open mixed doubles event.
Monfils now begins one final Roland-Garros campaign against fellow French wildcard Hugo Gaston.
