Gael Monfils claps back at abusive bettors: 'Who’s the dumbest between you and me’

A social media troll hates to see Gael Monfils coming.

The French veteran took a unique stand this week in how he responded to disgruntled bettors who sent him abusive messages after his first-round loss the BOSS Open: beating them at their own game.

"This is not financial advice," the Frenchman began in an Instagram story after falling short to No. 7 seed Alex Michelsen in three sets, "but really? You're still betting on me? First tournament on grass, I play Alex Michelsen, 20 years old, No. 35 in the world, and you want to bet on me?"

Monfils' experience is not unique: As sports betting has become more ubiquitous worldwide, tennis players at all levels have dealt with increasing amounts of abuse from disgruntled gamblers after losing matches—or in some cases, even when they win. A December report claimed that gamblers were responsible for nearly half of the 12,000 abusive messages that tennis players received on social media last year—an epidemic that has led to tennis' governing bodies coming together in an attempt to combat the problem.

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While those programs use AI in an attempt to protect players from threats and X-rated messages, Monfils' weapon of choice was humor. He made jokes at his own expense, and turned the messages back onto those who sent them.

"You're writing that I'm sh--, I know I'm sh--, we both know I'm sh--, and you still bet on me?" he said. "Who's the dumbest between you and me? Let's be honest."

"I'm not suffering; I'm sorry!" the 38-year-old tauntingly continued, saying that he has "played with a broken leg already, so don't pray for that," before taking aim at those who he said sent him race-related abuse.

"We are in 2025, and you give me skin color [insults]. What does my skin color have to do with tennis performance? I know I look pretty! I say that because my mom and my wife tell me I look pretty, but maybe I look really awful for you."

Monfils' speech was received positively by other netizens,

"I never want him to retire," said another.