Tennis world rocked by 'very sad' Gael Monfils scenes: 'So cruel'
The tennis world has reacted with shock after Gael Monfils was brought to tears when he rolled his ankle in a horror accident at the Canadian Open.
Monfils was returning to tennis after a three month break and appeared refreshed after defeating Pedro Martines and Maxime Cressy in the opening rounds in Toronto.
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The exciting Frenchman struggled in the first set against bright British talent Jack Draper as the youngster raced away 6-2.
However, Monfils immediately broke in the second to take a 2-0 lead.
However, it all went wrong for Monfils from here.
In the third game, Monfils hit a running forehand before awkwardly landing on his right ankle.
The 35-year-old went down in agony, which prompted Draper to rush over and check on the veteran.
Draper and the chair umpire helped Monfils to his feet and took him to a chair.
However, Monfils was clearly in pain and appeared to break into tears as a result of the horror setback.
Monfils attempted to play on, but it was clear he was in too much pain to run.
Fans around the world felt for Monfils who had just returned to the ATP Tour after a three month layoff due to injury.
Sport can be so cruel 😔
Monfils is forced to retire after sustaining an injury in his 3rd round match vs Draper #OBN22 pic.twitter.com/f8kSunaXyK— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 12, 2022
Playing his first tournament in more than 3 months, Gael Monfils has to retire down 2-6, 2-0 to Jack Draper, who is into the QFs of a M1000 for the first time in his career.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 12, 2022
Get well soon, @Gael_Monfils ❤️
Jack Draper reaches his first Masters 1000 QF after Monfils retires due to injury at 6-2 0-2.#OBN22 pic.twitter.com/5eEmyt3rbY— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 12, 2022
Brutal deal for Gael Monfils, who went down on the baseline and has now buried his face in his shirt.
Looks like it's his right foot and he's pointing in the area of the heel. Monfils had a "procedure" on the foot back in the spring.
Monfils is 35. Not at all good.— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 12, 2022
Monfils just went down on court in pain. Looked like he rolled his ankle or something.
Second pic he's sitting crying into his knee.
Sad if Monf has to withdraw. He was coming back in the match after losing the first, and he came back after a long layoff for this tournament. pic.twitter.com/V5P6FBXinR— Omar A.R. (@omarcanuck) August 12, 2022
Very sad scene in Montreal.
Gael Monfils is forced to leave the court due to injury
Jack Draper into the QF in Montreal— Mario Boccardi (@marioboc17) August 12, 2022
As a result of the retirement, Draper has reached his first ATP 1000 event quarter-finals.
The emerging British star started the season outside the Top 250, but has moved into the top 100 rankings as a result of a strong season.
Monfils hadn't played tennis since the Madrid Open back in May after recovering from a foot injury.
The 35-year-old is married fellow tennis player Elina Svitolina last year.
The pair are expecting a baby girl later this year.
Nick Kyrgios blasts his way into quarter finals
Earlier in the day, a first set masterclass from Nick Kyrgios against Australian compatriot Alex de Minaur has helped the 27-year-old book his place in the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open.
A day after an impressive victory against World No.1 Daniil Medvedev, Kyrgios looked like a man on a mission as he downed de Minaur 6-2 6-3 in the round of 16.
It was a brutal display from the Wimbledon runner-up, who extended his career-best run of form this season.
Kyrgios hit 14 winners and just one error during the opener, with some viewers describing it as the "perfect" set.
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