Gael Monfils says tennis is not just a job, but a passion for him

Gael Monfils is known for his entertaining style of play, hitting spectacular winners and chasing down balls almost into the stands.

But the Grand Slam semifinalist and former Top 10 player says that when he produces those shots, he's not doing it to get the crowd cheering or as a tactical play— he's just being himself.

“[I'm] just been myself. Sometime haters would say or misunderstand how lucky I am to doing what I'm doing, to be healthy and play my sport and passion,” Monfils told press in Montreal following his second-round win.  “For me, tennis is a sport, some people would say my job. It's my job, yes, but it's a sport. It's my passion. I can play with kids for hours. [Playing] Grand Slam for me is just a passion. When I'm on the court, it's a blessing.

"I can see so many of my friends, they would like to be there. Then I think just work for it, [enjoy it], just be myself, not try [to] play a role.”

Monfils reached a career high ranking of No. 6 in 2016. (Getty Images)

The 32-year-old French veteran has been injured frequently during his career, and had to retire with an ankle injury in the first round of Wimbledon. But he's better now.

“I feel I'm all right now. I lack training,” said Monfils, who is ranked No. 20. “I compensate for that, so I'm a bit short. Because of the injury and physically I'm not fit enough. In spite of that, I was playing a good match [against Ugo Humbert], very intense.

"You have to push yourself. Of course I want to play well. I'm trying to do that. You can see my level of game improved during the past two days because I worked a lot training.”

Monfils will next face 22-year-old Hubert Hurkacz, who upset fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in Montreal.