Every good story has an end. For the last tournament of his career at the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000, Gilles Simon had already made the fun last by eliminating his pet peeve Andy Murray and the American Taylor Fritz in the first two rounds. But he could not do anything, Thursday, November 3, in the round of 16 against the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (8th in the world).
“Gillo” first dropped the first set at the Canadian before fighting back at the start of the second set, pushed by the Parisian public. But that was not enough against the 8th in the world, who recovered to finally win. With this defeat, Gilles Simon put an end to twenty years of career.
Thank you for everything Gilou pic.twitter.com/ueNS6aqA1O
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) November 3, 2022
The day after a victory acquired after a long fight against Fritz, freshness had to be a major parameter to take into account for Gilles Simon. But in this little game, the 22 years of Félix Auger-Aliassime weighed in the balance. Without solution, “Gillo” was never able to worry the 8th in the world in a one-way first round, conceded in just 39 minutes (6-1).
But the French had a start. Faced with an opponent who was coming on a series of 14 victories and three tournaments won (Florence, Antwerp and Basel), Gilles Simon managed to keep his first three service games in the second set. What give the public of the Accor Arena an opportunity to launch an ola. The step, however, was too high. Confident and able to resist in the longest exchanges, Auger-Aliassime took the time and Simon ended up breaking down, dropping the last three games of his career at the Canadian, with a last point in the net on a backhand volley ( 6-3).
A handsome player as usual, Gilles Simon had a nice word after the game for his opponent, who will challenge the American Frances Tiafoe in the quarter-finals. “Thank you Felix first he knows how much I adore him, I hope you support him as you should throughout his career because he is really great. I’m glad my last one is in front of you , I wish you the best”.
Then he was celebrated by many figures of French and world tennis as had been Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, on the announcement of his retirement at the last Roland-Garros. Le Manceau and the other two “new musketeers” (Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils) paid tribute to “Gillo” in video messages broadcast on the central court of Bercy, just like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
From those who know him best
A heartfelt farewell, @GillesSimon84 #RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/vAyg33X6IV
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) November 3, 2022
“It’s hard because there are a lot of things, it’s hard to put everything in order. But that’s it, it’s over now, I’ll always be there for you”, concluded Gilles Simon with emotion, addressing his son and his wife. The former world number 6 thus closes the book of his rich career, during which he notably won 14 tournaments and won more than 500 matches on the circuit.