Resurfaced: Out Of This World! Monfils Goes Next Level With Airborne Strike

Editor’s Note: ATPTour.com is resurfacing features to bring fans closer to their favourite players during the current suspension in tournament play. This story was originally published on 8 May 2019.

Add this one to Gael Monfils’ never-ending reel of highlights! The Frenchman took things to the next level on Wednesday at the Mutua Madrid Open, when he delivered an incredible airborne strike against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.

With Fucsovics serving to stay in the second set at 3-5, Monfils raced to the net to retrieve a drop shot on the 13th shot of the rally. He then back peddled to snap a no-look airborne winner past Fucsovics, who had been attacking the net, earning a standing ovation from the crowd.

The shot also earned the approval of countrywoman Alize Cornet, who tweeted ‘Insane’ with an alien emoji.

Insane ????

— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) May 8, 2019

While Fucsovics went on to hold serve, Monfils won the next game and the match 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 to set up a blockbuster third-round clash with three-time Madrid champion Roger Federer. It will be their first meeting since 2015 at Roland Garros, a match Federer won in four sets to improve to 9-4 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head series.