French veteran Gael Monfils was pressured to retire throughout his first-round match on the Miami Open dealing a blow to his return from a prolonged damage absence.
The 36-year-old left the court docket, wincing in ache together with his match with compatriot Ugo Humbert at 3-3 within the first set.
At Indian Wells, Monfils misplaced to Jordan Thompson in straight units within the first spherical, in what was his first match in seven months.
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Last 12 months Monfils had heel surgical procedure after lacking the French Open and the complete grass season.
His return from a 3 months absence, in Montreal, noticed him undergo a foot damage and he subsequently introduced the tip to his season in October.
Monfils instructed AFP that whereas the damage was painful he would have to watch for scans earlier than realizing extra.
“We may have the exams and see what’s occurring,” he mentioned.
But after another blow after his long road back to competition, Monfils said he may have to consider his future despite his desire to carry on.
“I don’t know, you know. I don’t know. Of course, you have goals and you want to achieve some goals, but sometimes you have to have a step back and see,” he mentioned.
“And then, after all, if sooner or later I can’t anymore, I can’t anymore. But I’ll do the whole lot to preserve enjoying,” he said.
Monfils said it was purely the enjoyment of playing that kept him pushing to return to full fitness.
“The love of the sport, you know, the love of the sport. I love what I’m doing. I love my sport,” he mentioned.
“You know, I might have stopped a very long time in the past, however I nonetheless take pleasure in it. I’m nonetheless having fun with myself,” he said.
Monfils was the second Frenchman to retire on Wednesday with Arthur Rinderknech quitting his tie with Japan’s Taro Daniel in the first set after receiving medical treatment.
Rinderknech, who was 4-1 down at the time he retired, was suffering from abdominal problems, according to a tournament spokesperson.
Umbert will face 29th-seeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed)
