Gael Monfils was eliminated from the US Open / The 40-year-old Frenchman ends his run in Grand Slam tournaments

Gaël Monfils ended his career in Grand Slam tournaments after being defeated on Thursday in the second round of the US Open. The 40-year-old Frenchman, who will retire at the end of the season, lost to American Learner Tien 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in New York. Monfils was honored on the court, where he received a framed photograph from representatives of the US Open and the U.S. federation. The Frenchman thanked the spectators and recalled the journey that began in 2003 at the junior tournament. He said that over the years he had tried to provide both high-level tennis and entertainment.

The match was also a rematch of the duel played last month in Montreal, which Tien also won. The American, ranked 14th in the ATP rankings and one of Monfils's admirers as a child, asked him for an autograph at the time. Monfils appeared in the US Open main draw 18 times, recording 34 wins and 18 losses. He reached the tournament's semifinals in 2016, and that same year climbed to number six in the world rankings. The winner of 13 ATP titles, he also played another Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros in 2008. After retiring, Monfils intends to work in wealth management for a Swiss company.