Gael Monfils has been appointed captain of the France Davis Cup team, the French Tennis Federation announced on Saturday, shortly after his retirement from tennis.
The 40-year-old former world number six takes over from Paul-Henri Mathieu, who served as team captain for the past three years. Monfils recently stepped down from the professional tour after 22 years at the highest level of the sport, having secured 13 ATP singles titles during his career.
In an official statement, the French Tennis Federation said that Monfils would bring all of his top-level experience to the national team. The appointment follows a quiet end to his playing days. Despite embarking on an extended farewell tour, the Frenchman retired without fanfare on 5 October by removing himself from the official roster of active players. He has since begun retraining to become a wealth manager.
Monfils welcomed the federation's announcement, saying that captaining the side was an immense source of pride and that the blue national shirt represented a great deal to him. He added that he intended to build a genuine collective project and generate the momentum required to challenge for titles once again.
Support from French tennis musketeers
The federation confirmed that Monfils will receive guidance and support from his longtime peers Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet. The pair, along with Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, formed the famous four musketeers of 21st-century French tennis, named in tribute to the legendary French players who dominated world tennis during the 1920s.
The leadership change comes during a period of upheaval in the player's personal life. Monfils recently confirmed news originally shared on 26 October by his wife, Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina, stating that the couple had separated.
Known throughout his career for his acrobatic athleticism, entertaining shot-making, and deep connection with supporters, Monfils was one of France's most prominent sports figures. Since making his debut on the professional circuit in 2004, he established himself as a fixture of modern tennis, competing across more than two decades at the top of the game.
Rebuilding France's Davis Cup fortunes
Monfils will have several months to prepare his squad, as France's next competitive fixture will not take place until February 2027. The break provides valuable time to reset following a difficult run of form. In September, France failed to qualify for the Davis Cup Finals after suffering a defeat against Canada, marking the team's sixth qualification failure across the last seven seasons.
The Davis Cup, founded in 1900, is the premier international men's team tennis tournament, organised annually between competing nations. France has claimed the prestigious title ten times in its history, though success has proved elusive under the competition's modern format. As a competitor, Monfils played in two Davis Cup finals, in 2010 and 2014, but never succeeded in lifting the coveted Silver Salad Bowl trophy.
