Gaël Monfils Stuns Roland-Garros with Thrilling Five-Set Comeback Victory

PARIS — The Paris night session was barely five points old when Gaël Monfils sent 15,000 fans on Court Philippe-Chatrier into a hush of concern. Sprinting to retrieve a forehand in his opening-round match against Bolivia’s Hugo Dellien at Roland Garros 2025, the French showman lost his footing, skidded on the red clay and slammed his right knee against a courtside billboard. Medical staff rushed in, and the 38-year-old required a lengthy timeout for treatment to his knee and both hands. Yet in vintage Monfils fashion he refused to quit, returning to roar the crowd back to life despite dropping serve and falling behind 2-5. Dellien eventually secured the first set 6-4, but the incident only heightened the drama of what was already the most-anticipated night match of the tournament’s third day. Why the match matters • 18th main-draw appearance: Monfils is chasing his 40th career win at Roland Garros, a milestone that would tie Yannick Noah for the most Frenchmen’s victories in the Open Era. • Feel-good comeback season: Sitting at No. 42 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Monfils owns a 16-7 record in 2025 and lifted a title in Auckland in January, becoming the oldest ATP champion since 1990. • National spotlight: With no Frenchman seeded inside the top 20 this year, Monfils carries the hopes of a home crowd desperate for a deep run. Immediate injury outlook Initial on-court assessments suggested no structural damage, and Monfils was able to move freely after the break, peppering the court with trademark sliding defense and athletic overheads. “It was scary for a second, but adrenaline kicked in,” he told on-court interviewer Fabrice Santoro between sets. “The leg is sore, but nothing will stop me from finishing on Chatrier.” Momentum shift? Dellien capitalized early on tentative movement, targeting the veteran’s forehand corner. From 2-5 down, Monfils reeled off three straight games, electrifying fans with a flicked passing shot winner that left him pounding his chest and the stadium chanting “Gaël! Gaël!” Even after conceding the set, his first-serve percentage climbed above 70 percent, and he began dictating rallies with heavy topspin backhands. Historic context Monfils’ best Roland Garros result remains a semifinal in 2008, but his night-session theatrics have become must-watch television across France. Last year he saved four match points in a five-set epic under the lights; Tuesday’s tumble-and-recover sequence instantly joined his highlight reel. What’s next Play resumes Wednesday if rain interrupts the Paris night, with Monfils aiming to complete the comeback and book a second-round meeting with No. 18 seed Nicolás Jarry. French Tennis Federation doctors will re-evaluate the knee Wednesday morning, yet early indications point toward manageable bruising rather than ligament damage. Key SEO takeaways • Gaël Monfils knee injury scare at French Open 2025 • Roland Garros night-session comeback effort against Hugo Dellien • French favorite chasing 40th career win, Yannick Noah record • Live crowd reaction and injury update from Paris Whether he advances or not, Monfils once again proved why his name trends every time he steps on court: theatre, resilience and a Parisian flair that no fall can dim.