French tennis player Gael Monfils has announced his intention to move into the finance industry following his final appearance at the US Open. The 40-year-old athlete, who recently concluded his Grand Slam career, revealed he has signed a contract with a Swiss company to work in wealth management.
Monfils' professional tennis career officially ended after his second-round match against Learner Tien at the US Open. This marked the conclusion of his participation in Grand Slam tournaments, following a send-off at his home major, Roland-Garros, earlier in the year. While Monfils was a prominent figure in French tennis for two decades, reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 6 and two Grand Slam semi-finals in 2008 and 2016, he stated that he will not be pursuing traditional post-playing roles like punditry or coaching.
"I have a new chapter coming next year," Monfils told reporters after his final match. "I will work in finance. You know, I already signed to work in wealth management in a Swiss company. So my next chapter working in office and working in finance."
Monfils, married to women's tennis player Elina Svitolina, suggested his new role might align with aspects of his personality that fans do not typically see on court. He described himself as being more disciplined and serious in his personal life compared to his on-court persona, which he characterized as a place to express emotions and be less flexible. "I'm really not flexible in a way, that I really like everything done straightaway and a little bit maniac, so it fits that for sure, for my next chapter," he said.
He acknowledged the emotional difficulty of retiring from professional tennis, recalling that his farewell at Roland-Garros was particularly challenging. However, he found managing his emotions and performing more manageable at the US Open, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to compete in what he considered an important tournament for his final Grand Slam appearance.