PARIS — Former world number seven Gael Monfils is not feeling any extra weight of local expectation at the French Open, despite playing his home grand slam with a highest world ranking since a knee injury in 2012.
One of four Frenchmen among the top 20 men's seeds at Roland Garros, the rangy Monfils has clawed his way back up the rankings since his injury. Now at 14, he is seen by many in the French sporting press as the country's best hope this year.
"I appreciate it... but then you just have to go out and win your matches," the 28-year-old said after a wobbly first round win against fellow Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin on Monday in which he had trouble with the wind -- and with his shorts.