Gael Monfils builds his perfect tennis player, ft. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Gael Monfils has built his perfect ATP tennis player, with ‘Big Three’ legends Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all featuring along with Carlos Alcaraz.
In a video for the ATP Tour, Monfils was asked to choose between retired and current stars to create his ultimate player from a range of attributes.
The 12-time ATP titlist also selected Juan Martin Del Potro, Pat Rafter and Nick Kyrgios as he created a hypothetical player that would arguably be unstoppable.
FOREHAND – Juan Martin Del Potro
“Del Potro forehand was fast, heavy, very accurate, you know he wasn’t missing that much. He could hit it from anywhere from the court with that weapon, so yeah 100% I will take his.”
BACKHAND – Novak Djokovic
“I feel Novak backhand is almost perfect, like he can hit every part of the court. The speed, the control he has with [it]. Yeah, definitely Novak backhand.”
SERVE – Nick Kyrgios
“I feel his serve is so pure, so smooth. Easy power, accuracy, unreal. Second serve, first serve.”
RETURN – Novak Djokovic
“With no hesitation I will take Novak. With return he’s actually just insane, I cannot say anything else, it’s just insane his return (laughs).”
SLICE – Roger Federer
“Roger, it’s a very pure slice. He can slow down, he can speed it up, the accuracy is a joke. 100% Roger.”
NET GAME – Pat Rafter
“It’s a tough one because I have three names straight away in my mind. The three names of course is [Pat] Rafter, [Stefan] Edberg and Michael Llodra. I will go for Pat Rafter, I mean amazing at the net. Super physical, tough to get through.”
SPEED – Carlos Alcaraz
“I don’t take myself (laughs). I will take Carlos Alcaraz, I think his speed is insane. The power that he develops, the change of direction.”
MENTAL TOUGHNESS – Rafael Nadal
“Rafa, crazy, you know, crazy. Over the years, how he showed us in the tough moments how strong he is. Also playing with hurt.”
COMPETITIVENESS – None
“Honestly, it’s tough question and I don’t have an answer to be honest because I feel like all the top athletes are tough. To say which one is the best it will be of course the ones who wins more, and maybe you’re not winning as much as them and you can be also quite tough in competitiveness.”
What surface would his perfect player be best on?
“He can play anywhere this one, he can play anywhere (laughs).”
