Defeated Monfils is done with Toronto

Gael Monfils symbolically touched the baseline after his 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3) loss on Sunday to qualifying outsider Tomas Barrios Vera to exit in the first round of the Toronto Masters.

The 38-year-old was playing in his 14th Canadian edition but was able to say with certainty that he would not be back. “It was the last time I play in Toronto, for sure, yeah.

“There’s no explanation, it’s the last one,” he said after the defeat in which he wasted four match point chances.

“It will be two years to play (again) in Toronto, so pretty much I won’t be able to play it. Obviously I think the next one is too old for me, so I think it was the last time I’ll play here.”

He added: “I actually thought at the end, and I was like, ‘Well, I think it’s, unfortunately, but the last time I think I would play here.'”

The French icon was disappointed about his missed opportunities against a No. 142 opponent who won his first career match at the Masters level.

“Without taking credit from my opponent, (it was a) bad match from my side, not the quality that I want, not the level that I want to perform. 

“(I need to) try to work hard, (and try to) feel this winning (habit come)  back a little bit and try to still believe.

“(I need to) keep my head up, even though it’s not easy, but I will try my best.”

Main photo:- Gael Monfils in action at Toronto Masters