MIAMI 23 Mar (Online): French veteran Gael Monfils was forced to retire during his first round match at the Miami Open dealing a blow to his return from a lengthy injury absence.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old left the court, wincing in pain with his match with compatriot Ugo Humbert at 3-3 in the first set.<\/p>\n
At Indian Wells, Monfils lost to Jordan Thompson in straight sets in the first round, in what was his first tournament in seven months.<\/p>\n
Last year Monfils had heel surgery after missing the French Open and the entire grass season.<\/p>\n
His return from a three months absence, in Montreal, saw him suffer a foot injury and he subsequently announced the end to his season in October.<\/p>\n
Monfils told AFP that while the injury was painful he would have to wait for scans before knowing more.<\/p>\n
“We will have the exams and see what’s happening,” he said.<\/p>\n
But after another blow after his long road back to competition, Monfils said he may have to consider his future despite his desire to carry on.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know, you know. I don’t know. Of course, you have goals and you want to achieve some goals, but sometimes you have to have a step back and see,” he said.<\/p>\n
“And then, of course, if one day I cannot anymore, I cannot anymore. But I will do everything to keep playing,” he said.<\/p>\n
Monfils said it was purely the enjoyment of playing that kept him pushing to return to full fitness.<\/p>\n
“The love of the sport, you know, the love of the sport. I love what I’m doing. I love my sport,” he said.<\/p>\n
“You know, I could have stopped a long time ago, but I still enjoy it. I’m still enjoying myself,” he said.<\/p>\n
Monfils was the second Frenchman to retire on Wednesday with Arthur Rinderknech quitting his tie with Japan’s Taro Daniel in the first-set after receiving medical treatment.<\/p>\n
Rinderknech, who was 4-1 down at the time he retired, was suffering from abdominal problems, according to a tournament spokesperson.<\/p>\n
Umbert will face 29th seeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MIAMI 23 Mar (Online): French veteran Gael Monfils was forced to retire during his first round match at the Miami Open dealing a blow to his return from a lengthy injury absence. The 36-year-old left the court, wincing in pain with his match with compatriot […]<\/p>\n
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