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Gael Monfils' heartwarming daughter reveal in 'unforgettable' scenes

The Frenchman had the tennis world in tears after the emotional win.

Gael Monfils breaking down in tears and Monfils posing with his wife Elina Svitolina and his daughter.
French favourite Gael Monfils (pictured left) has broken down in tears after winning his first match since august after an 'impossible' comeback, which he dedicated to his daughter. (Images: Twitter/Instagram)

French favourite Gael Monfils has broken down in tears as the Roland Garros crowd sung the national anthem after dedicating his win to his daughter after an 'impossible' comeback. Monfils has been dealing with a number of injury setbacks late in his career having been working his way back on tour with a mix of Challenger and main tour events before Paris.

Monfils is one of the most-loved players on tour and this was evident when he took to Phillipe-Cartier court for the night session match against Sebastian Baez. And the two put on one of the most entertaining ever matches in one of the all-time atmospheres seen at a grand slam.

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Having not won on the ATP main tour since August last year, Monfils' chances looked dim as he fell behind early. However, the crowd got right behind their man with Monfils bouncing back to win the next two sets as the main court erupted in rare scenes.

The Frenchman's level dropped and Baez took the marathon match to the fifth set. The Argentinean then stormed to a 4-0 lead in the fifth as Monfils cramped up and struggled to walk between games.

The finish appeared to be close when the 36-year-old 0-4 and 30-40 down. But in remarkable scenes, Monfils was not done.

The vociferous crowd cheered on their favourite as Monfils fought back in what was deemed the 'impossible'. He won the match after hitting a backhand winner down the line.

Gael Monfils reacts during a French Open match.
Gael Monfils (pictured) produced a comeback for the ages at the French Open. (Photo by ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP via Getty Images)

Monfils dropped to the floor and broke down in tears after winning his first main card match since August. Speaking to the crowd in his on-court interview, Monfils said he was thinking about his daughter when facing defeat in the fifth set.

"At 3-0 down in the fifth I told myself I haven't won a match since I'm a dad, and my daughter is in Paris, and I gotta get one for her," an emotional Monfils said.

Monfils is married to fellow tennis professional Elina Svitolina. Monfils signed the camera lens with his daughter's name, Skai, in his post-match celebration. The tennis world was overwhelmed with joy after Monfils' victory and also lauded the incredible atmosphere created on the main court at Roland Garros.

Gael Monfils praises incredible Roland Garros atmosphere

After the match, Monfils thanked the crowd for getting him over the line when he was struggling.

"I was cramping at the end, a lot of [it was] with the nerves, and of course I'm tired, but a big part of [it was] the nerves," Monfils added. "I'm playing full [of] adrenaline, like honestly, I asked the crowd to scream, and somehow I juiced up.

"I know at one hand I will pay, I will pay, and I had to hold it at the end. But I hope to have a good night today and tomorrow and [focus on] heavy recovery, and no matter what, I will be ready for him Thursday."

The Frenchman will now play one of the tournament favourites, Holger Rune, in the next round. The crowd will again cheer on their favourite, which will a must-watch event against the fiery Danish prodigy.

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