Watch: Gael Monfils, Nick Kyrgios roast themselves after Washington doubles loss

The highly anticipated doubles pairing of tennis showmen Gael Monfils and Nick Kyrgios delivered plenty of laughs, even if the on-court results weren’t quite what fans had hoped for. After a swift and rather one-sided loss in their opening match at the Citi Open in Washington, the dynamic duo took to social media to hilariously “roast” themselves, much to the amusement of their global fanbase.

The two veterans, known for their charismatic personalities and flashy play, teamed up for the ATP 500 tournament in the United States capital, creating considerable buzz among tennis aficionados. However, their campaign proved to be short-lived. On Monday, they faced the formidable third-seeded pair of Hugo Nys and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, ultimately falling 6-2, 6-2 in just 58 minutes on the Grandstand court.

For Nick Kyrgios, the match marked his first competitive outing since March, a period during which he has been battling persistent wrist and knee injuries. The 30-year-old Australian, a former Wimbledon finalist, had initially entered the singles draw for Washington but later withdrew, citing a “niggle with his knee” that required “a bit more time” to heal. Despite not being at his physical best, Kyrgios clearly wanted to play alongside Monfils and was determined to see the match through.

The defeat itself was comprehensive, with Monfils getting broken in the very first game, setting a challenging tone for the rest of the encounter. While Kyrgios managed to hold his first service game, both players were broken again, leading to a quick 6-2 deficit in the first set. The second set mirrored the first, with Monfils dropping his serve early and Kyrgios facing another break late in the set, leading to the identical 6-2 scoreline. The Australian-French pair notably failed to win more than one game consecutively throughout the entire match, underscoring the dominance of their well-drilled opponents.

However, true to their entertaining form, Monfils and Kyrgios quickly shrugged off the defeat with a dose of self-deprecating humor. In a video posted by the Frenchman on his social media, Monfils, 38, candidly quipped, “Guys, we got destroyed with Nick!” Kyrgios, ever the comedian, immediately followed up with a mock apology, playfully shifting the blame. “Sorry, it was me on one leg,” he joked, before adding with a grin, “But Gael was yelling at me on the court!” The exchange, punctuated by laughter from both players, perfectly captured their laid-back approach to the loss and their enduring camaraderie.

Kyrgios later took to his own Instagram story, posting a photo of himself from the match with the caption, “Knee cooked but fans still f***ed with us.” This message, accompanied by a laughing emoji, showcased his characteristic blend of honesty about his physical state and appreciation for his loyal supporters, even after a disappointing result. Another post simply read, “Say what you want… you watched,” a playful jab at critics, reaffirming his belief in his drawing power regardless of the outcome.

Indeed, just being on court was a significant achievement for Kyrgios, who has endured a frustrating period plagued by various injuries since his memorable run to the Wimbledon final in 2022. In the three years since that career highlight, the Australian has managed to play only a handful of matches across both singles and doubles, constantly battling physical setbacks. His last appearance before Washington was a loss to Karen Khachanov at the Miami Open in March, and he subsequently pulled out of the clay and grass court seasons, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Despite his current ATP ranking outside the top 600, Kyrgios has wisely utilized a protected ranking of 21 to gain direct entry into the main singles draw of the upcoming US Open in September. His Washington appearance, though brief, serves as an important step in his bid to be fit and ready for the final Grand Slam of the year. Whether his body holds up remains the critical question.

For Monfils, a former Washington singles champion himself, the doubles loss was also an early exit, but his season has been more encouraging, including an ATP 250 title earlier this year. The French veteran will now turn his attention to the singles draw in Washington, where he hopes to make a deeper run.

While the doubles match might not have been a classic in terms of competitive tennis, the post-match antics of Monfils and Kyrgios offered a reminder of why these two players remain fan favorites. Their ability to find humor in defeat and share it openly with their audience reinforces their reputation as two of the sport’s most engaging and authentic personalities.