Has Gael Monfils Finally Found the Balance Between Flash and Focus?

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at Internationaled.org

Published: July 26, 2016

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Gael Monfils, the tennis world's ultimate showman, is finally performing the balancing act fans longed to see. After years of dazzling tennis fans with acrobatic shots and defensive wizardry, Monfils seems to have found focus without losing his flash.

On Sunday, Monfils defeated Ivo Karlovic  5-7, 7-6(6), 6-4 to win the Citi Open. It was the Frenchman's first ATP World Tour title in two years.

Despite having skipped the French Open, Monfils sits at No. 9 on the Singles Race to London this year.

Against Karlovic, Monfils fought off a match point to force a third set. The comeback reflects a subtle change in Monfils' game. He's still La Monf, the French magician who pulls winners out of thin air. He still walks with swagger and celebrates with youthful exuberance.

However, this reset Monfils model is more measured. The brilliance, talent and athleticism remain, but the implosion tendencies have subsided.

What's missing? Indifference. Unlike most players who self-destruct, tighten up or melt down, Monfils has a tendency to simply disappear in matches. Oh yeah, his body was on the court, but his thoughts and attention appeared to drift away.



Sometimes it seemed as if Monfils grew bored with the many weapons at his disposal.

Whether riding a two-set lead, as he did against Roger Federer in the 2014 U.S. Open, or mounting a comeback, Monfils sometimes seemed stumped by the prospect of "What next?" He could have become more aggressive, played better defense or mixed it up. Instead, he'd simply opt out.

Now, Monfils has injected more discipline into his game. He's figured out that strategy and artistry aren't mutually exclusive.

Last year, Monfils hired coach Mikael Tillstrom, who works with Stan Wawrinka's coach Magnus Norman.

Wawrinka helped Monfils secure his new coach. He told L'Equipe (via Tennis Transla...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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