Is Gaël Monfils Tennis' Greatest Entertainer or Biggest Underachiever?

Is Gaël Monfils Tennis' Greatest Entertainer or Biggest Underachiever
Is Gaël Monfils tennis’ greatest entertainer or biggest underachiever? Hmm... difficult one but let’s see.
Inspired by Is Novak the Greatest Tennis Player Ever?
Inspired by Where Are They Now? Roger Federer’s Generation!
Inspired by Can Anything Stop Novak Djokovic?
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[@danielmacdonald9287]

Monfils at his best is grand slam winner level but he just never had the mentality to put it together for seven matches in a row.

[@Stratisfied22]

No reason this guy wouldn't have won at least 1 slam if he had truly dedicated himself to the game.

[@user-kb2ve6nk9q]

No matter still love his humility through his game and that's why he's awesome !

[@DarkStar3147]

Underachiever since he was a junior. In 2004, he won the Australian, French, and Wimbledon junior singles titles. He had no competition who could keep him from winning the US Open and completing the Junior Slam. What happened? He did not want to do it because it bored him. He did not keep this to himself, and voiced it to anyone that would ask him what his expectations for the US Open were. He did have an amazing career and made a lot of money, so perhaps he did what he aimed for. Who knows, but the man seems happy with what he's achieved.

[@LePianisteMasque]

Easier explanation : when he was a junior, his body gave him a huge advantage against most of his junior opponents. But when he became a pro, he struggled when he had to beat pro adults. You see the same thing happening in many other sports (football/soccer/basketball...)

[@thomasritzel8484]

@@LePianisteMasque Yep, especially football in the high school to college transition. Only a few will go on to the NFL.

[@BogdanEchoMilosevic]

Excellent video. Totally objective information and verdict, as well as a nice collection of Monfils moments and facts. He's awesome, and always love seeing him play more

[@Courtside_Tennis]

Much appreciated!

[@jn9907a]

Why does the presumption have to be he's an underachiever? Why is the expectation that not winning a grand slam singles event is somehow a sign of being unsuccessful? Why do we look at Monfils for not living up to OUR expectations? He's a talented player who has kept us entertained since the early 00s. Perhaps we should thank him instead of unloading our expectations all over him.

[@AlmirSevero1]

Spot on

[@kylecurryyt]

He’s the player I enjoy watching the most. Very entertaining.

[@YDeLaFayette]

Spot on OP. Also, if you look at his game, he just does not have any weapons to consistently transition from defense to offense. His net game is terrible, his forehand is only powerful if you give him time, and his backhand is just consistent. I don't know about his training regimen, but I'd say he's been both a very very popular player due to the fun he has playing the game, with great results as well.

[@Grivian]

Someone not living up to "our" expectations is the definition of an underachiever

[@zvikazvizdic4313]

It is not a presumption its quite simple with the amount of talent and atheticism he had he didnt do anything worth of mentioning except being an awesome entertainer.

[@alexpiper1115]

I think he is probably underachieving on purpose. He knows that the minute he wins a slam, everything will change. Coaches, sponsors will put pressure on him to stop his showboating and entertaining and be more serious and he is not willing to give that up and i don't blame him because that's probably what keeps him going on the court. At some point, he probably settled on having fun. He's made more than enough money on tour and he is a shoe-in for tournament directing after his career is over.

[@TheGreatDudist]

Considering that the vast majority of tennis players who play seriously would consider it an achievement if they ever QUALIFY for an ATP event... I don't think anyone with above single digit IQ would call it underachieving to: -Win 11 tournaments -Make it to the finals of 3 masters -Make the final four of TWO grand slams All the while always having fun and never considering it work or a job? Never once hating what you do. AND getting paid 20 million dollars to do what you love? Yeah. This man has WON. In a better place than many of the "greats".

[@MaryMathurin-gq8si]

Monfils you need to get back at this level. Love your humility.

[@malcolmnorman5694]

Very talented player that had to much fun instead of taking it serious he definitely could have won a major

[@kylecurryyt]

Yeah probably so. It seems like he doesn’t want to win sometimes. Probably not true, but that’s what it looks like.

[@walliegirl2]

His court positioning was lousy by standing too far back. Medvedev stands really far back, but his length and anticipation are incredible.

[@alexpiper1115]

@@kylecurryyt I believe he doesn't want to win a major. He will have to give up his entertaining play if he does and why lose what keeps you going.

[@Animescenes293]

Recently I saw him play… and I just loved it that’s why I wanted to know how good was he in his prime

[@ninoprodan1552]

I play tennis to have fun and enjoy the game, and it looks like Monfils made a living doing it. 👏

[@shaheenhossain8707]

I still remember Roger Rasheed remark when he was coaching Gael "Do you want to hit an unbelievable winner or do you want to win the match" Sums up very well how well his coaches knew him and what Gael really wanted I'm sure he would have been a multiple slam winner, but was he serious about GS?

[@lfmata]

Love Gael, is charm, kindness and class, maybe he could do more, but no regrets as far as seeing an incredible talented individual.

[@8020Alive]

Definitely underachieved. I’ve seen him practice and his work ethic vs other top players was always poor. Combine that with constant on court choking - and that’s his career.

[@nathannair]

You pretty much just summed me up

[@TheGreatDudist]

Considering that most people who play tennis seriously find little fun in it, consider it as a work/job situation, and would consider themselves "achieved" if they even qualify for an ATP event and get paid for their appearance instead of netting a loss? I don't understand how someone can say Monfils has "underachieved" after winning 11 events, final four in two grand slams, finals of 3 masters, made 20 MILLION dollars, and never once stopped loving his "job".

[@dadsfreetimeclassicgaming1220]

I didn't know you had the inside track on what other players do to train. Its a little hard to constantly choke when your training is poor. what is he not serving fast enough? Running hard enough? How does anyone who purely counterpunches have a poor work ethic? People like you is why dudes don't smile at there jobs.

[@dadsfreetimeclassicgaming1220]

Maybe he should be like Fed and just barely work out. Hop on one leg while he tosses a ball around. But never make a face so he can get hard worker cred.

[@8020Alive]

Whoa 😧

[@swishaahouse1828]

This man has god given talent . I don’t think he wanted it enough nonetheless he is a solidified hall of famer

[@MaryMathurin-gq8si]

Sure right , he gives the ppl their money worth . He's not underachiever, he's just not money hungry.

[@omaramrani8687]

Very good analysis !

[@kevintaylor-fj3ox]

He's both!!!

[@lucidlagomorph5809]

If the objective was the journey and not the destination perhaps he was succesful as changing his mindset might have taken the love he has for the game away from him. Djokovic has admitted despite his success he has despised tennis as its been a relenless master. The other thing to note is that he probably has a very forfilling life outside of tennis and all the trophies that come with wearing blinkers and living and breathing the game just wasnt worth the aggravation of perfection.

[@tingyenahkee1447]

He could have a slam winner if he trained harder and had the right coaches. Tsonga, Gasquet, Monfils and Simon were the best French talent in the 2000s but never delivered

[@walliegirl2]

I actually though Tsonga had the most "potential" to win a slam of the above group. Monfils may have been more talented than Tsonga. But I believe Tsonga's game help up better in tight moments. Tsonga was just too big (built like a linebacker) which caused him to be injured a lot.

[@thealchemist5182]

The greatest entertainer and most talented after Federer in my opinion was Marcelo Rios

[@narciompit9513]

great video (second btw)

[@andrewmllns]

Both

[@bluekirbyrocks]

Why not both?

[@wkrp10splayer19]

Gael: Nick, turning on light sabr, I am your father

[@HS33]

Besides David Nalbandian, he is the biggest underachiever in the last 20 years.

[@joynerakinyi8305]

I don't see your name/s in tennis top 1,000...did you say undeachiever? Play the game or reapect those who do no matter their capacities, that's none of your business. And FYI he is great that's why you took note....

[@bramvalkenburg5655]

The reason why he hasn't won what he could have won is probably his shot selection and being too passive.

[@SK-qu4wo]

6:34 I see Djokofish was cringe even back then😂.

[@kenanderkroate]

Berdych is underarchiver

[@walliegirl2]

Disagree. Berdych played the same agressive flat ball baseline game like Connors He just did not have Connors' tenacity to win. i enjoyed watching him play and cheered for him.

[@kenanderkroate]

@@walliegirl2 Zero Grand Slams after the Wimbledon 2010 the most pepole thought he will win multiple Grand Slams if you not win one Grand Slam your e are not a legend for GOD sake even Marin Cilic won a Slam

[@QUEEFSWEAT]

MONFILS IS MY DAD!

[@ThemisGaiia1810]

The bludger

[@alburaq3290]

Lacks the mentality, focus, dedication and killer instinct of a champion.

[@seal3081]

I agree there's other players who have underachieved worse it's just hard because not many people in the world have the talent to win grand slams, he had it but couldn't pull through.

[@marcusbrsp]

He didn't have it in him to go that last step. Nevertheless a very entertaining player.

[@deandrep4273]

19* loses vs novak

[@tijgertjekonijnwordopgegeten]

6:30 definitely not unnecessary and it wasn't even a hot shot, he was just trying to get to the ball.

[@desmondlaiclan2500]

👋

[@JohnDoe-xk1dv]

Monfils reminds me a lot of Mark Philippoussis, Richard Gasquet, and Nick Kyrgios - all great strokes and athleticism. However, none (for differing reasons) having the deep and sincere commitment necessary to change their game styles at the crucial times, in order to grind out necessary wins for the Slam titles. Philippoussis at least had a bad injury reason in second half of his career to cite: that may have eroded his commitment level. But the other three can't really say even that. Monfils for me is the very definition of an exhibition player, rather than a tour player. He likes the rush of pulling off trick shots and momentary one shot challenges in the moment too much, rather than closing out matches 'boring'. His choice then (sigh). But it's robbed him of the big titles. He has only himself to blame on this, and I suspect that's why he's gone through so many coaches. They've all told him a version of this, and he didn't want to hear it. Wasted talent. He's content to be a Harlem Globetrotter, but not an NBA Titleist. Sad, but his life I guess.

[@walliegirl2]

Gasquet is racquet talented. But i would not call him a great physical talent. Kind of like Agassi, great racquet talent but not necessarily a great athlete.

[@alecmorariu6291]

Gasquet didn’t achieve his full potential due to technical flaws on his forehand

[@davzinzan]

Monfils is Djokovic's duck

[@Ahch_not_op_of_Judah]

Jake is the salt of the Earth!All praises to Yahawah bahasm Yahawashi bahasam rawchaa qadash!Qam Yasharahla!👑

[@madaboutsnooker147]

No.... Dustin Brown is...... Monfils, is still top 5 though. epic players to watch both of them. I want a docu vid on why Dustin is so inconsistant

[@Atombender]

David Nalbandian was a massive underachiever too.

[@nothingisreal6345]

Monfils has excellent skills and outstanding athletics. But to be successful in top tennis you need to have this ruthless killer instinct. You don't play for it to be nice. You play only to win. And you want to ALWAYS win. That are Djokovic, Nadal and Federer and now Medvedev. There is nothing else aside it. And that simply isn't Monfils. There are a ton of other things in life he enjoys and cares about. E.g. his lovely wife Elena (and now kid), music and having a good time. . He delivered great performances and always cared about bringing joy to the spectators and fans. And that is totally OK. We are all blessed to have him entertain us.

[@walliegirl2]

Look at Connors. Not a great talent both in terms of racquet talent or athleticism. But the dude got everything he had to win matches. Connors was a poor boy growing up and had a chip on his shoulders. He never acted up against Borg since he really admired Borg,

[@TTykwer]

Tennis clown. Many enjoy watching him and his kind of tennis; I just never have.

[@LuLu-nw6bi]

He's both.

[@maryuspandyra7359]

Great player, annoying and cringe to watch at times

[@king0vdarkness]

defo the latter, look at when he won rotterdam, what age was he?

[@dadsfreetimeclassicgaming1220]

Monfils has a defensive mentality. I love him but with his ability to counter hes probably never had to learn how to be aggressive. Also a big muscular black dude has to learn how to smile a lot. its a little hard to be a killer like that.

[@paulad574]

oh he's a french man!? looks like an African man to me!! Beautiful!

[@alecmorariu6291]

Imagine beating federer 4 times and being called a failure.

[@anglophone412]

I think that players of African descent will eventually dominate tennis.

[@lewisedz]

We believe in that

[@diegosotomiranda4107]

I don't think dominance in tennis has anything to do with Race, more like other conditions un The formstove years that some country has well covered and others barely has a tennis federación, how Many asían an african players could make to the pro if they didn't have to fly to usa, or Spain/France to develop their Game? I'm sure more than we have today, bit at the same time a dominant player can appears from anywhere, thats why after decades of dominance from usa, England, Australia, un tennis the Best players of history are not from those countries, Nadal (Spain), Djokovic (Serbia) and Federer (Swistzerland)

[@anglophone412]

@@diegosotomiranda4107 The blacks (meaning western Africans) are way more likely to have the genes for fast twitch muscle fibers. As this guy said, this black guy has arguably the best athletics in all of tennis. I am a proud Anglo-Saxon, but I can't deny reality right in front of me.

[@tijgertjekonijnwordopgegeten]

@@diegosotomiranda4107 People of African descent do generally have better athleticism, so if the tennis infrastructure in Africa gets better they have a good chance of being the best.

[@kenanderkroate]

You mean Fils from france

[@b.u.dmusic9424]

Biggest underachiever in recent tennis history. Nothing but a clown

[@babatundekalejaiye7046]

Look at the history of tennis; no great player attempted clownery on the court. They come and take care of business.

[@jus_danny]

Players of African Descent like being clowns on court and they are more loved when clowning, but once they take their game very seriously they are normally disliked... I mean look at how everyone dislikes Serena Williams

[@diegosotomiranda4107]

Thats just a baseless opinión, Auger it's one of the most loved guys on tour and respected ammount players and fans and he didn't need to act like a clown or waste unnecesary energy to not be hated by the public

[@jus_danny]

@@diegosotomiranda4107 wait until Felix starts winning and being consistent you shall see

[@misevibre]

1. Not everyone dislikes Serena 2. Serena has an unusual personality

[@olfam7197]

He had to many white coaches telling him he gets every ball back that made him just play defense i would have told him to take offense

[@misevibre]

@@olfam7197 Oh yeah, it's white coaches' fault xDDDD classic

[@daweithisisdavidinmandarin6121]

Respectable career? French players are NOT winners, period. The only player more dissapointing than Monfils is Gasquet. What a shame, they would have been a great addition to the big 6.

[@Roadrunner65553]

Leave Tennis Millionaire Gael alone. It’s so easy for idiots that can’t achieve anything in THEIR own lives to project unto others…. Find your OWN happiness and success. Bringing others down gets really old and obvious.