Monfils Named Captain of France Davis Cup Squad

The French Tennis Federation confirmed on Saturday that Gael Monfils has been appointed as the new captain of the national Davis Cup team. The announcement arrives just weeks after the 40-year-old formally ended his 22-year professional career.

The federation stated that Monfils will utilize his extensive time on the professional circuit to guide the current roster. In a statement, the organization noted that his top-level experience will be a key asset for the French team moving forward.

Monfils replaces Paul-Henri Mathieu, who held the captaincy for the past three years. The new leadership team includes two former Davis Cup teammates, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon, both of whom have also retired from active play in recent seasons.

In his own remarks, Monfils described the appointment as a source of immense pride, noting the personal significance of the blue shirt. He expressed a desire to build a collective project that generates the momentum necessary to secure future titles for the nation.

Monfils concluded his playing career with a quiet departure, removing his name from anti-doping registration lists last month and confirming his retirement on October 26. This decision followed the announcement of his separation from Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina. Monfils, a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, acknowledged that the split made the retirement decision difficult on a personal level. He had previously been scheduled to compete in Lyon and at the Paris Masters before stepping away.

The new captain has time to establish his strategy before the team returns to competition. France failed to qualify for this year's Davis Cup finals in Bologna, with their next scheduled appearance in the event set for February 2027.

During his playing days, Monfils was part of the French squads that reached the Davis Cup final in 2010 and 2014, though he did not lift the trophy. He now moves to the bench to attempt to lead the team to victory.