WATCH: Gigantic Gael Monfils ‘sends a message’ to Carlos Alcaraz with bullet strike
Gael Monfils had squared up with Spanish wunderkind Carlos Alcaraz in the round of 16 at the 2022 Indian Wells. The Frenchman showed off his mighty strength with a bullet of a strike so fast that if you blink, you’ll miss it.
The 36-year-old certainly proved that he can still keep up with the youngsters and sometimes teach them a thing or two.
The French star certainly amazed the crowd and the commentators who said: “That is money. That is a message sent; it wasn’t just to finish the game, that was to let Alcaraz know he has come to play.”
He definitely surprised Alcaraz with his glorious strike. and the excited commentator added: “Come on let’s see this speed, let’s see it. Is this record-breaking territory?”
Monfils’ shot was recorded at 124mph (199km/p), but he did not break the record despite the incredible feat. That is still held by Australian Sam Groth, who hit the world’s fastest serve recorded at 163mph (262km/h).
Monfils was rewarded with a clash against Alcaraz last year after defeating first seed Daniil Medvedev with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. The pair battled it out for two hours and six minutes before the Frenchman sent his opponent packing.
The strike was glorious but not enough to break Alcaraz, who went on to smash the Frenchman with a score of 7-5, 6-1.
“It means a lot to me,” said Alcaraz after defeating Monfils. “It’s really special to be in the quarter-finals in a Masters 1000. I’m really proud of the level that I’m playing this tournament. I love this tournament and being in the quarter-finals here is pretty good.”
Alcaraz played beautiful tennis, sending multiple drop shots over his French competitor’s head, that were impossible to counter.
“The drop shot is a [weapon] that I have,” the youngster said. “It’s good to have it in the tough moments, in the close moments, to use it. It helps.
Alcaraz certainly showed off his maturity in the tennis world, and since then, he has gone on to dominate the world of tennis, while easily becoming a fan favourite.
“I’m going to be happy if I keep the level [from tonight],” Alcaraz said after his scintillating showing, “but I always say that you can improve every day, you can do better every day.”
The rising star continued his push for the final, but a rampant Rafael Nadal met him in the semi-final. The Spaniards battled it out for an exciting three hours and 12 minutes before Nadal grabbed the 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
READ MORE: WATCH Glorious Gilles Simon strike against Rafael Nadal at the 2008 Madrid Open
