‘GOAT’ Novak Djokovic serves up a three-word message for Gael Monfils after record-breaking defeat

Shahida Jacobs 18 Aug 2023 11:53 AM

Novak Djokovic interviewed after match

Gael Monfils was on the receiving end of a record-breaking defeat to Novak Djokovic, but he still saw his glass as half full after the clash while the Serbian produced a nice riposte when the Frenchman asked him to autograph his shirt.

Djokovic and Monfils met for the 19th time on the ATP Tour on Thursday as they squared off in the third round of the Cincinnati Open.

Unfortunately for Monfils, the result was the same as the previous 18 matches as the 23-time Grand Slam winner came away with a 6-3, 6-2 win that helped him to set a new milestone for the best head-to-head record in the Open Era.

Djokovic was level with Rafael Nadal on 18 consecutive wins over the same opponent with Nadal holding an 18-0 record against Richard Gasquet, but the Serbian pulled ahead after his Cincinnati victory over Monfils.

But the Frenchman was not too downbeat after the historic defeat as he asked Djokovic to sign his shirt and the tennis great added a funny message as he wrote “sorry not sorry” with a smiley face.

Monfils posted an image of the signed shirt on social media and wrote: “It may not have been the match I was hoping for against the GOAT, but it’s still an honour and a pleasure to face @DjokerNole. Despite everything, it remains a positive week. I’m going to rest to be on top at the US Open. Thank you so much for your incredible support 🙏🏾”

Ce n’était peut-être pas le match que j’espérais contre le GOAT, mais c’est toujours un honneur et un plaisir d’affronter @DjokerNole . Malgré tout, ça reste une semaine positive. Je vais me reposer pour être au top à l’US Open. Merci mille fois pour votre soutien incroyable 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/kszEVy1izA

— Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) August 18, 2023

Their Cincinnati clash came nearly 18 years after they first met at the 2005 US Open and on that occasion Monfils came close to defeating the then 18-year-old Djokovic as it went five sets, but the Serbian prevailed.

Novak Djokovic’s 19 consecutive wins over Gael Monfils in top-level tennis

2005 US Open – R128 – 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5-7), 0-6, 7-5
2006 Roland Garros – R16 – 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
2008 Beijing Olympics – Quarter-final – 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
2009 Paris Masters – Final – 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3)
2010 US Open – Quarter-final – 7-6 (7-2), 6-1, 6-2
2010 Davis Cup Final – Round robin – 6-2, 6-2, 6-4
2011 Canadian Open – Quarter-final – 6-2, 6-1
2011 Cincinnati Open – Quarter-final – 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
2013 Shanghai Masters – Quarter-final – 6-7 (4-7), 6-2, 6-4
2014 Canadian Open – R32 – 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (2-7)
2014 Paris Masters – R16 – 6-3, 7-6 (2-7)
2016 Canadian Open – Semi-final – 6-3, 6-2
2016 US Open – Semi-final – 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
2017 Eastbourne International – Final – 6-3, 6-4
2018 Australian Open – R64 – 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3
2020 ATP Cup – Round robin – 6-3, 6-2
2020 Dubai Tennis Championships – Semi-final – 2-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-1
2022 Madrid Open – R32 – 6-3, 6-2
2023 Cincinnati Open – R16 – 6-3, 6-2