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By Scoop Malinowski
Status Winner of 12 ATP singles titles and over $21m in career prize earnings. Career best ranking was no. 6. Today he became the oldest mat at 37 to win the Stockholm Open vs Pavel Kotev 46 76 63.
DOB: September 1, 1986 In: Paris, France
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 180
Tennis Inspiration: “Arthur Ashe.”
Childhood Heroes: “My hero was maybe Michael Jordan.”
Nickname: “Lamonf. Sliderman”
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: “NBA, watch TV and movies and music.”
Favorite Movie: “Remember The Titans.”
Musical Tastes: “Like 50 Cent, Ilona, Gregory Gumbs, rap, dance-soul combination.”
Last Book Read: “Was The Davinci Code.”
Favorite Meal: “Caribbean meal.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Lemon.”
First Job: “Nothing [smiles].”
Pre-Match Feeling: “I don’t know, nothing special.”
Early Tennis Memory: “Bercy. It was my first senior tournament (2004). And it was unbelievable. And I qualified, passed one round. I played Hewitt in front of 15,000 people. My first time in the stadium. I was 17. It was so nice. Playing in front of my family was the first time for me, so it was magic for me.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I don’t know yet [smiles].”
Most Painful Moment: “When I injure myself and can’t play, it’s a difficult time.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Oh yes, I like every French player, but mostly Gasquet, Tsonga and also Paul Henri Mathieu, Clement, Grosjean, Simon.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “I don’t know.”
Toughest Competitors: “Everybody.”
Favorite Vacation: “Caribbean in Guadeloupe, Martinique.”
Favorite Tournaments: “I don’t know, every tournament is nice. But for me the best is Roland Garros. I like Miami too.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “I liked watching David Nalbandian. I love his game, how the way he play. I loved to watch him play. Richard Gasquet. Grosjean. Same reason. I really like his game. Because he’s my friend and his game is so beautiful, so that’s why I like it. His moves, his forehand, his backhand, very good. I really like to watch him.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Maybe in Monte Carlo against Stepanek. Because I was injured, it was 6-0 2-0 through two sets and I have to retire so it was very embarrassing for me. Or at Roland Garros (2005). Because it was two sets up and I was playing bad. Very embarrassing (lost in 1R to Canas 6-3, 6-1, 6-0).”
Funny Tennis Memory: “I don’t remember. Every time is funny. Everything for me. I don’t have one.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Everybody is fine for me.”
You can read more Biofiles like this at www.mrbiofile.com
Artengo · France · Gael Monfils · La Monf · Monfils · Roland Garros · Wilson tennis
Hartt · October 31, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Scoop, thanks. I love his memory of playing Bercy in 2004. I understand he wants to be fresh for London but am sad he is not playing Bercy this year.
Scoop Malinowski · October 31, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Was surprised he skipped Paris but I guess it means he is going to be extra ready to put on a super show in London – this could be his one and only shot to play WTF – would have been cool if he at least played Paris doubles this week –