Gael Monfils says bad weather has caused the 'whole period on clay' to change

MONTE CARLO, Monaco—It's been 20 years since Gael Monfils debuted at the Monte Carlo Masters, when he notably fell to fellow teenage sensation Rafael Nadal. When he arrives to play Roland Garros next month, the 38-year-old will also celebrate the 20-year anniversary of his first main-draw appearance there.

Much has evolved over time, but there's one aspect of the two-decade journey that doesn't sit well with Monfils: Mother Nature.

“The weather is worse and worse. Well, this is what I'm saying, because maybe summer arrives a lot later now. But honestly, it's not only here. The whole period on clay has changed,” the current world No. 44 told French press Monday.

“I remember when the weather was really hot during those tournaments, and now we arrive here, the weather is bad. And the French Open, it's been a long time we didn't have two beautiful weeks. Every time, now I have the feeling it's cold in the French Open. I remember in Monte Carlo, so it was cold, it's been a long time. I haven't played here in Monte Carlo in the old way, with the beautiful weather.”

The weather is worse and worse. Well, this is what I'm saying, because maybe summer arrives a lot later now. But honestly, it's not only here. The whole period on clay has changed. Gael Monfils

Despite Monday’s nippy conditions, Monfils dug in to rally past Fabian Marozsan for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory. In assessing his performance, the fan favorite seemingly exceeded his own bar.

“I really didn't expect to play as well as I did today. My contract is fulfilled. I won a match. I wanted to win more matches this year. Well, now I won one match out of one, so I think it's time for me to stop,” he laughed.

“I did something I haven't been able to do for a long time, like moving around well, hitting well on both sides, and I served well. This helped me. I didn't panic after losing the first set, either.”

By advancing, Monfils lined up a second-round clash with Andrey Rublev. The seventh seed comes into the first Masters 1000 clay-court event of the year having added Marat Safin to his coaching team.

“Mentally he was extremely solid. He really liked very tight matches, and he won many of them. So he has a great experience. This is what he can bring to Rublev,” believes Monfils about the two-time major winner.

“I think also we'll discover what is happening little by little. It's a bit early maybe to talk about it. I think Marat has been coaching a top player for the first time this time, so it's like Andy [Murray] with Novak [Djokovic]. So it's difficult to tell right now. We need a few days, at least.”

With his win over Marozsan, Monfils improved to 15-5 on the season. His lone clay-court title was his very first ATP tournament win, 20 years ago in Sopot, Poland. His most recent runner-up showing on red dirt came in Monte Carlo, nine years ago.