Gael Monfils thanks Juan Martin del Potro during emotional Acapulco moment: ‘He was a great champion’ | ATP Tour
acapulco
Monfils thanks del Potro during thrilling Acapulco moment: ‘He was a great champion’
The 39-year-old earned his first win of 2026 but lost in the second round in Acapulco
February 27, 2026
Alfredo Estrella/AFP/Getty Images
Gael Monfils was honored at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco on Wednesday.
Written by ATP Staff
Gael Monfils has long been a fan favorite and a beloved presence in the dressing room. Monfils, who is playing his final season on the ATP Tour, was honored on Wednesday at the HSBC Telecom Awards in Mexico, where former world No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro was also in attendance.
Monfils, who reached the 2009 Acapulco final on clay, earned the honor after losing 3-6, 3-6 in the second round to Valentin Vacherot. During the ceremony, the 39-year-old expressed his gratitude to Del Potro on the sidelines.
“We had a great fight. He’s a great champion,” Monfils said of del Potro. “It means a lot to me that you are here and that you are sending the message. Thank you so much Juan Martín and thank you to everyone else.”
A legend celebrates a legend 😢@delpotrojuan Celebrating great people at home @Gael_Monfils In Acapulco. #AMT2026 pic.twitter.com/GEFnvUAaiT
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 27, 2026
Del Potro and Monfils have met twice, with the Argentine winning both Lexus ATP meetings – both in Rotterdam (2013 and 2014).
Monfils earned his first win of 2026, defeating Damir Zuhur in the first round in Acapulco. The 13-time tour-level champion and former PIF ATP No. 6 player has a career record of 584-353, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
