Tennis star Gael Monfils’ press conference turned awkward after being asked whether he believes that Daniil Medvedev is “a really good player on clay” at the Monte-Carlo Masters. The Frenchman was defeated 6-2, 6-4 by 2021 US Open champion Medvedev in the second round to set up a tie with Karen Khachanov.
Monfils, who reached the final of the tournament in 2016, has enjoyed plenty of success on clay and won more matches at the French Open than any other Grand Slam. Roger Federer defeated Monfils in his only Roland Garros semi in 2008 but he has excelled on the surface and was asked to analyse his recent opponent.
“Do you believe that Daniil is a really good player on clay?” Monfils was asked in his press conference, shortly after being defeated by the world No. 4. Initially stunned by the question, the 37-year-old responded by putting the reporter in an awkward spot by claiming that if Medvedev was not perceived as a strong clay-court player, neither is Monfils.
“Well, I don’t know if Gilles (Simon – coach) helped him a lot, but Daniil played well,” Monfils replied. “He didn’t make many mistakes. It’s a strange question, because he won a Masters Series. I never won any. Am I a bad clay-courter for that?
“He did something that very few players did. He played a Masters 1000 on clay. He reached the quarter-finals here. He won Rome, et cetera. Quarter-final in the French Open. He did win Rome, no? Sometimes players don’t play as well on clay, but still, they are very efficient. Anyway, if I had been able to do what he did, I would be happy.”
Medvedev enjoyed a successful clay-court season last year, winning his maiden tour-level title on the surface at the Rome ATP Masters 1000 event. He has his sights set on a first trophy of the season in Monte Carlo, with his best finish in 2024 coming as a runner-up at the Australian Open.
