By Ben Rothenberg
Gael Monfils was the story of the first round of this year’s French Open, coming back from 0–4, 0–40 down in the fifth set to beat Sebastian Baez in an epic win. Monfils called it one of the best wins of his career, but it was an ending more than a beginning: He had to withdraw from the tournament before his second round due to lingering wrist pain, one of several injuries that have bedeviled him in recent years.
Monfils, 36, returns to competition this week in Washington, where he was a champion in 2016. Before his first match, Monfils sat down with Racquet to discuss his current motivation, his wife Elina Svitolina, and the perceptions that he cares more about having fun than winning.