Gaël Monfils withdraws ahead of Roland Garros second round with wrist problem

PARIS—There will be no encore performance for Gaël Monfils at Roland Garros, at least this year.

Just under 24 hours after winning what he characterized as one of the top two matches of his career, the beloved Frenchman withdrew from the clay-court major late Wednesday with a wrist injury.

"I had the problem with my wrist that I cannot solve. Felt it during the match. Actually the whole match today," he told press. "The doctor say was not good to play with that type of injury. Yesterday was actually very risky, and then today definitely say I should stop."

The 36-year-old had valiantly erased an 0-4 final-set deficit and fought off persistent cramps in an enthralling comeback victory over Argentina’s Sebastan Baez on Court Philippe Chatrier. The effort marked Monfils’ first completed match win of the season and had set up an intriguing showdown with Holger Rune.

"Physically, I'm quite fine. I was quite happy this morning. I woke up quite good," he said.

The Paris native came into his home Grand Slam event ranked No. 394.