Wimbledon 2018: Gael Monfils jokes he’d skip SW19 final if France made World Cup showpiece
GAEL MONFILS admits his opponent could have the easiest game of his life if he makes the Wimbledon final - because he will be watching the World Cup instead.
The Frenchman, 31, beat Paolo Lorenzi 3-6 6-3 7-6 7-6 to reach the third round at SW19.
And with next Sunday's showpiece clashing with the World Cup final in Russia, Monfils quipped he would rather watch Les Bleus than bid for personal glory.
Asked what he would do if both he and France went all the way, the smiling Parisian said: "I'd be the first player walk over to see the World Cup.
"No, well, you know, let me play Friday and definitely make this one first. But I only saw half of the last match, so I get used to it.
"Four years ago, I can't even remember Wimbledon, but the World Cup, you know, is definitely different. We love - I mean, most people love soccer, so I feel it's different.
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"Well, I think in France it's a culture. The soccer, it's culture.
"And we have been chatting a little bit in the locker room, and actually watched the game in the locker room."
Wimbledon has not been screening events in Russia but Monfils was keeping up with England's clash with Colombia on his phone and raced for the pub when he saw it was heading for a shootout.
The ace enjoyed revelling with Three Lions fans in London - even after he got soaked in beer.
He added: "I watched the shootout. It was cool. I was actually in the restaurant and saw on the phone it was the shootout, and I saw a pub, so I just went to the pub and watch it.
"It was unbelievable. Like, crazy. Crazy. Like, crazy. Can't describe. I was scared to have my phone. It was jumping, screaming. Everything. Beers, everything."