Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet have already stepped away from the sport, leaving Monfils as the last player standing from a golden era for French tennis.
But he will soon be playing his last French Open, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max from May 24, and the torch will be passed to the next French hope.
In fact, the baton has already been passed.
From 39-year-old Monfils, it is now in the hands of 21-year-old Arthur Fils, who may have had his “a** kicked” when he was beaten in just 50 minutes by Carlos Alcaraz in the Qatar Open final in February, but has been kicking a** since then.
Following his thrashing by Alcaraz, Fils bounced back with deep runs in Indian Wells and Miami, before soaring to victory on the clay courts of Barcelona.
With Fils up to No. 6 in the Race To Turin standings, and No. 25 in the world rankings, TNT Sports expert Alex Corretja has no doubt that there is more to come from him.
“What struck me most about Arthur Fils? His mentality, without a doubt,” Corretja told L’Equipe after Fils’ Barcelona title triumph.
“He’s clearly taken a step forward; I find him very mature. He’s always been an explosive player, but now he’s managed to bring a touch of stability to his mind, and that makes all the difference.
“I saw him all week, always very serious, very focused. When you add that to all the improvements he’s made to his game, it can only work.
“He has everything. Honestly, he impressed me; he’s going to be top 10 very quickly.”
It wasn’t that long ago that Fils was just starting out on tour.
In his first season in 2023, he was named ATP Newcomer of the Year after scooping his maiden ATP title.
In 2024, he won two more titles, both at ATP 500 level, and made it into the top 20 in the rankings. Further progress appeared to be coming until a back injury midway through 2025 knocked him off the tour for eight months.
Since returning in February, he has been impressive.
Fils has an 18-5 win-loss record this year, bettered only by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Over the last 52 weeks, his win-loss percentage of 0.742 is only behind Alcaraz, Sinner, and Novak Djokovic.
In Barcelona, he became the first man born in 2004 or later to reach 100 tour-level victories.
“He’s playing incredible tennis right now,” world No. 1 Sinner said about Fils ahead of playing in Madrid this week.
“He’s very focused on what he needs to do, and is in great physical shape. He’s been very consistent on all surfaces. Winning in Barcelona will give him a lot of confidence to play well here, in Rome, and especially in Paris in front of the French crowd.
“I’m happy for France. France needs players like Arthur. Let’s see what the future holds for him, but one thing is certain: we’ll have to keep an eye on him.”
Andrey Rublev also had plenty of praise for Fils after losing to him in the Barcelona final.
“The way you’re playing is ridiculous,” said Rublev. “The level you played, and overall the last couple of years, you proved that you’re one of the best players on tour.
“Being out for half a year, and playing at that level again, is something unreal. I’m practising every day, and I’m not at that level.”
Fils’ title run in Barcelona was aided by his decision to skip Monte Carlo, a move made after lessons of the past – he will not “chase” tournaments, but instead “prepare correctly” – and his new energy conservation plan.
“No big celebrations,” he explained. “You win, then you go back to work. If you win the tournament, that’s when you celebrate. Otherwise, nothing. I think it’s not bad like that.
“It allows me to keep a lot of nervous energy. And to be ready for the last matches of the week.”
The signs are positive, but could Fils really be the one to challenge the domination of Alcaraz and Sinner?
Jack Draper has been in the conversation, but injury issues have struck him this year. Joao Fonseca showed his quality as he pushed Sinner in Indian Wells, and then Alcaraz in Miami, but, aged 19, he still has a way to go.
Holger Rune, 22, hasn’t played since October due to injury, and 20-year-old Jakub Mensik hasn’t built on his breakthrough title at last year’s Miami Open.
Perhaps wisely, Fils admits he still has work to do to match the level of Alcaraz and Sinner right now.
“We’ll think about those two maybe later,” said Fils. “They are immense champions. I can’t compare myself to them yet. I’ve never beaten either of them in two sets, so in three sets it’s even harder to imagine.
“I need to play more quarter-finals, more semi-finals, more finals. That’s how you find the balance – by living those moments again and again until they become normal.
“It’s not easy, but it’s something I’m going to find. I have no doubt about that.”