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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.
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 –