Gaël Monfils, Andy Murray to meet at Aix-en-Provence challenger—25 years after first junior bout in Rouen

“I want to run towards you, because you’re doing your running,” a beaming Gaël Monfils told Andy Murray when the pair of long-time competitors and friends reunited on March 6 at Indian Wells—the site of the Frenchman’s first ATP appearance in seven months following an extended injury absence.

The two hugged it out, exchanging warm words before Murray wrapped up his interval sprints and Monfils got loose for a practice session.

Eight weeks later, the two have run into each other again. Not by chance on the grounds of a 1000-level tournament, but rather in the draw of an ATP Challenger event: the Open Aix Provence Credit Agricole.

Both arrive in southern France seeking match play, and more importantly, a boat of confidence. Monfils is looking to collect his first completed match victory at any level this season. (He officially went into the books as a winner this past Tuesday when his countryman Evan Furness retired a set and a break down at the challenger in Ostrava)

Following his most recent tour-level loss in Banja Luka to Jiri Lehecka—the rising talent he trained with at the BNP Paribas Open after crossing paths with Murray—Monfils didn’t sugar coat where his comeback from a plantar fascia rupture stands.

“I'm not even sure that I really have the level to win matches. For the moment, I am far from winning matches,” he said in a translated interview with L’Equipe.

Since saving five match points to topple Lehecka in the Doha semifinals, Murray’s endured a rough patch of his own. The former world No. 1 has dropped five of seven matches, including his last four, and has combined for 12 games in the four sets he’s contested on European clay thus far.

A year after impressing in Madrid by outclassing Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov, Murray was sent packing in his opener at the Caja Magica by world No. 164 Andrea Vavassori. Asked about his dip in form, Murray told press that it’s “probably a combination of things. Didn't play a good match in Miami, and has been a few things since then that have been tricky. Certainly the beginning of the clay season hasn't been that easy for me.”

Monfils and Murray came up together, initially facing off 25 years ago at the ripe ages of 11 and 10 as juniors in Rouen. A version of La Monf rocking specs would prevail, though Muzza's older brother Jamie defended the family’s honor in the final.

They’ve maintained a friendly connection over the years, wonderfully clear when the two co-hosted a daily show on the Paris native’s Twitch account during the 2020 ATP Finals. When Monfils uploaded a viral video dancing to “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” ahead of the 2021 US Open, Murray replied, “You’re the man :) always make me smile!”

He used to play with glasses. He had sort of like a shaved hair, but like quite a high cut (smiling). He was the same as he is now. —Murray recalled about his first memory of Monfils during a Roland Garros press conference in 2014

Regrettably, it’s been nine years since a tennis clash has been the reason for the tour-dad duo to trade grins. Murray holds bragging rights, for now, with a 4-2 lead. Monfils is 2-1 when the two have battled in his home country, yet their most recent encounter went the way of the Brit in a five-set quarterfinal at the 2014 French Open.

“We grew up pretty much together. It's always fun to play against him. He's the same, he didn't change at all,” Monfils said going into that battle.

Before ultimately taking their second duel on Chatrier, Murray asserted of his friend, “He's a great athlete. Maybe the best we have had in tennis.”

While neither may be at his peak right now, here’s to the old pals bringing out the best in each other—and running towards their desired directions.