A legend like no other
How do you sum up two decades of out-of-this-world showmanship? How do you quantify a groundbreaking career defined by a limitless playing style that didn’t just make fans cheer — it made them dream?
In truth, it’s difficult.
Monfils has fond memories of turning pro in 2004, and in 2005 — the year he first came to Indian Wells — he started to believe that he could become one of the tour’s elite players.
“Since then, I was, like, ‘Wow, I’m on this amazing ride, trying to enjoy every moment,’” he said earlier this week. “And here I am in ’26, still playing.”
Be careful when considering the Frenchman’s impact on the sport he has electrified for two decades. The contribution of Monfils, who has racked up 585 career wins and 13 ATP titles, cannot be measured by statistics. Wins, losses and titles are eclipsed by the Frenchman’s capacity for turning his body into a bullet train, even as he approaches 40 years of age. Winners and unforced errors are secondary to his ability to launch his body into the air like no other player on tour would dare.
Ask a current pro to name the best athlete on tour, and you’ll probably get eight out of ten uttering his nickname: LaMonf.