French tennis icon Gael Monfils revealed that he will be eschewing traditional post-playing careers such as punditry and working within tennis to take up a job in finance. The 40-year-old called time on his Grand Slam career when he was despatched in straight sets by rising American talent Learner Tien in their second-round clash on Thursday night. Monfils was previously treated to a lengthy send-off at his home major Roland-Garros in May, retiring as one of the biggest names in the last 20 years of French tennis. But rather than parlay his success on the court into a media role, Monfils – who is married to women’s tennis star Elina Svitolina – will start a new career in an unexpected field. ‘I have a new chapter coming next year,’ Monfils told the press after his match. ‘I will work in finance. You know, I already signed to work in wealth management in a Swiss company.’So my next chapter working in office and working in finance. I will always have a look on tennis, because I love the sport. My wife’s playing. Gael Monfils has shared that after retiring, his new career is a world away from the tennis court’I don’t think this next year I will do so much about tennis. But I’ll be around definitely no matter what for Elina a little bit, but I will be more a finance guy.’ Monfils, who was ranked as high as world No6 at his very peak and reached two Grand Slam semi-finals in 2008 and 2016, was asked how the new role might translate his tennis skills. The Frenchman’s glittering career has been distinguished by his ability to entertain with both his electric shot-making, and ebullient character – but Monfils admitted there was another side to him too. ‘Somehow, and I think you should ask my wife, you’d be very surprised, is of course in tennis I am the way I am, but I think she can tell you that she wishes I am like this at home,’ he added. ‘I think at home I’m a little bit more strict, more serious, completely different.'(Tennis) is my joy place where I can let my emotion go. Then I’m pretty – it’s tough to say, but – I’m really not flexible in a way, that I really like everything done straightaway and a little bit maniac, so it fits that for sure, for my next chapter.’Tennis is completely different.’ After his match against Tien finished, Monfils was treated to a small ceremony commemorating his career. Smaller than he had experienced in Paris, but special all the same. ‘It was just really tough for me,’ Monfils said of his decision to retire. ‘A couple weeks ago in Paris, couple months ago now, it was really tough, because you don’t really know what to expect and how you will really react. ‘It was a little bit tougher for me to handle my emotion and play and perform, because I said that I want to say goodbye but be able to perform well.’In Paris was a little bit tougher, but I felt like I learned a lot. And then it was much better, much easier for me to handle (saying goodbye) here, because here, it was a big one, very important one, and I was super happy that I could actually be here.’