World Tennis Challenge headline act Gael Monfils has his eyes on a major — and knows how to give himself every chance

WHY French tennis superstar Gael Monfils will drastically alter his schedule after Adelaide to reach his ultimate goal.

Gael Monfils of France will return to the familiar surrounds of Adelaide ahead of the 2017 Australian Open. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

FRENCH Slam contender Gael Monfils will embark on his first substantial training block on clay in 2018 once he leaves Adelaide and Australia in a bid to increase his chances of winning his home major.

Former world No. 6 Monfils, who will be a headline act in January’s World Tennis Challenge at Memorial Drive, has a twofold purpose for spending more time on the red dirt.

One, it is be kinder to his body, which has this year let him down with multiple injuries which led to a world rankings slide to No. 46.

Two, to give himself every chance to win his own holy grail, the French Open, while his window for Grand Slam success remains open.

Monfils is 31, has reached the semi-finals of both the French and US Opens and had a breakout year in 2016 before injuries cut him down for a disappointing season this year. Spending more time on clay, as opposed to the higher-impact hardcourts, could also help extend his window of major success.

“Next year I will play more on clay courts,” Monfils told The Advertiser. “I might focus more on that both for my body and for my game.

“I’ve never put the claycourt season in February as a goal, but I think this year I can.

“We want to play earlier on clay, to be fitter and ready for the long season in Europe.”

Gael Monfils of France during the Australian Open this year. Picture: AFP Photo/Paul Crock

Monfils will continue to contend with a difficult generation.

Roger Federer is 36 and will not be around forever, but Rafael Nadal is Monfils’ contemporary and Andy Murray is a year younger.

But Monfils’ ambition has not diminished.

“My goal is still to win a Slam, you know,” he said. “I’m working for that and I’m ready to die for that, to win a Slam.

“And if it can be the French it would be even better.”

But first up is the WTC, and Memorial Drive is familiar ground for Monfils, who spent long training blocks in South Australia when he was coached by Adelaide’s Roger Rasheed.

Tickets for the WTC are available through Ticketek.

Originally published as World Tennis Challenge headline act Gael Monfils has his eyes on a major — and knows how to give himself every chance