Gilles Simon thrilled with retirement run, but won't change his plans: "I'm hurting everywhere"

WATCH: Gilles Simon stuns Taylor Fritz in the 2022 Paris Masters second round

Gilles Simon says he isn't reconsidering his decision to retire, even though he's scored two big wins in the Rolex Paris Masters this week.

The 37-year-old Frenchman is hanging up his racquets following this event, but has thrilled the home crowds so far by defeating ninth seed Taylor Fritz and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray.

His 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 win against Fritz took more than three hours, with the crowd crucial to helping him grab the third set.

"I know I'm hurting everywhere," he told press coming off the court. "And then at some point, you tell yourself... 'Enjoy it. If it hurts everywhere, if you can't play anymore, it's not a big deal.'

"Then you win a point, the people are there, you win another and they get fired up, and you say to yourself, 'Ah, maybe you can go again.' And like this, you come back."

But as much as he enjoyed the contest, he says it also shows him again why he's stopping. Ranked No. 188, Simon has not had another deep run at an event this season apart from a similarly memorable surge into the fourth round of the French Open, and needed a wildcard to get into the Paris Masters.

"My ranking reflects my level of play," he said. "There's a tendency to forget because I'm having a good Roland Garros, or with my good play here, and I'm asked why I'm stopping. But you don't realize what an effort it takes for me just to play two matches, when I know tomorrow I won't be able to walk.

"Tennis is not like that, it's a series of tournaments for 52 weeks. But I know when I'm done in Bercy, I will not be able to play for four or five weeks… That's why I decided to quit.''

There's a tendency to forget because I'm having a good Roland Garros, or with my good play here, and I'm asked why I'm stopping. But you don't realize what an effort it takes for me just to play two matches... Gilles Simon

But his extended cameo has become a highlight of the tournament. His first round was watched by fellow Musketeers Jo-Wilfried Tsonga—who retired at the French Open—as well as Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils.

Next, Simon plays Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian is on a roll, having won three straight events, but also comes in having won a tough three-setter. Either way, Simon is happy he's shown vintage forms at times this week.

"I'm happy to see I can hold the level if I prepare myself, even if I know the ton of effort it requires," he said.

Simon has won 15 career titles.