Gaël Monfils named France's Davis Cup captain a month after retiring

Appointment and role

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) announced on Saturday, 7 November 2026, that Gaël Monfils will captain France's Davis Cup team, succeeding Paul-Henri Mathieu, who had held the post for three years. The role is non-playing, so Monfils will coach from the courtside rather than compete. The 40-year-old brings 22 years on the professional circuit to the job, the federation said. Former players Gilles Simon and Richard Gasquet will assist him. Monfils's appointment comes four days after a tribute to his career in Paris, and only weeks after he left the professional game.

In a statement, Monfils said the captaincy was a source of great pride.

“It's a huge pride to become captain of the team. This blue shirt means so much to me.”

A farewell month after retirement

Monfils retired quietly in October and appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's inactive list without any explanation. He had been expected to finish his career at the Paris Masters that week, but a ceremony in the French capital honoured him instead. Fellow fan favourites Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon, Richard Gasquet and Benoit Paire joined the tribute. AP reported that the Paris plan changed once it was announced that his marriage to Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina was ending. Monfils is widely described as one of the most popular personalities in the sport among fans and players. Before the nomination he had only just begun retraining as a wealth manager.

Davis Cup background

In the 2014 final Monfils beat Roger Federer in straight sets, the only point France won in a 3-1 home loss to Switzerland. France last won the Davis Cup in 2017, its tenth title, and Monfils was not in that squad. The federation thanked Paul-Henri Mathieu for his commitment over the past three years, a spell that took France to the quarter-finals in 2025. Across eight Davis Cup editions Monfils won 12 of his 15 singles matches.

Next steps

Monfils said he wants to build a real collective project that lets the team win titles together. FFT president Gilles Moretton welcomed him to the post.

“We are very happy to welcome Gaël as head coach of the French team.”

Moretton added that the federation is convinced Monfils's infectious energy and enthusiasm will help advance French tennis's ambitions. Monfils will share the coaching work with Simon and Gasquet, who were also among the fan favourites at the Paris tribute. France's next campaign begins with qualifying in February 2027, with a squad that last lifted the trophy in 2017.