Osaka calls Monfils “the GOAT” for Black representation in tennis as Roland-Garros farewell begins
Naomi Osaka used her pre-tournament press conference at Roland-Garros on Saturday to pay tribute to Gaël Monfils, calling the retiring Frenchman “the GOAT” for what he represented to her as a young Black player coming up in the sport. Asked to explain why she refers to Monfils that way, the four-time Grand Slam champion went … Continued
Naomi Osaka and Gael Monfils, US Open 2025 | © Zuma / PsNewz
Naomi Osaka used her pre-tournament press conference at Roland-Garros on Saturday to pay tribute to Gaël Monfils, calling the retiring Frenchman “the GOAT” for what he represented to her as a young Black player coming up in the sport.
Asked to explain why she refers to Monfils that way, the four-time Grand Slam champion went straight to the question of representation.
“Honestly for me, seeing representation is so important, and on the women’s side, growing up, I had Serena and Venus, so I was so grateful to them. On the men’s side I always looked up to him and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for such a long time. I think it’s just so important.”
I know for sure he’s inspired a lot of players here.
Monfils, 39, is playing his final Roland-Garros after announcing his retirement at the end of 2026. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the French former world No. 5 of Congolese descent who reached the 2008 Australian Open final, ended his career at Roland-Garros in 2022. Osaka, born in Osaka to a Haitian father and a Japanese mother, has spoken throughout her career about the responsibility of Black representation in a predominantly white sport.
She framed Monfils as the figure that anchored a generation of French players now arriving on the tour.
“Obviously there is a wave of Black French guys coming up. I can see that he’s inspired, hopefully he’s inspired, I know for sure he’s inspired a lot of players here.”
The cohort Osaka points to is well-represented in the 2026 main draw. Arthur Fils, seeded 17, is France’s top-ranked man. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard opens against Novak Djokovic in the first round, on the Sunday’s night session.
News of the kids
Osaka closed her answer on the personal terms her relationship with Monfils has taken now that both are parents – Monfils to Skaï, born in October 2022 with Elina Svitolina; Osaka to Shai, born in 2023.
“I just really love the way he carries himself, the way he represents us, and he’s just such a really cool guy. It’s nice to talk to him now because we talk about our kids. It’s just a funny thing to have in common with him.”
Monfils’ farewell event on Thursday evening at Roland-Garros drew several players who said this week that he had personally invited them. Osaka, speaking on Saturday, said she had been at a dinner the night before that he had also attended.
“I had a dinner yesterday, he was there, and I invited a bunch of other players. I felt so extroverted in that moment, and it was just really cool.”
She finished on what Monfils, like Kei Nishikori, has meant to her as a non-Western player in the sport.
Kei is retiring, Monfils is retiring. It’s really sad.
“Kei is retiring, Monfils is retiring. It’s really sad. I’m so grateful for everything they have done for the sport, especially me, being Japanese, being able to look up to him. I wanted to stand next to him as the female representative. I’m grateful for everything that he’s done, and I want to see him play tennis one more time.”
Osaka was one of the players who joined Monfils on court at Thursday evening’s tribute event, alongside Diane Parry, Elina Svitolina and others he had personally invited. The two had already shared a court at the 2025 US Open mixed doubles, partnering as wildcards before losing to Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti in the first round, 5-3, 4-2 under the Fast Four format.
Monfils opens his Roland-Garros against fellow Frenchman and fellow wildcard Hugo Gaston.
