VIDEO | Gael Monfils pulls off incredible no-look, behind the back, passing winner from the baseline at Halle

06/17/2019

Whenever Gael Monfils takes the court, we know he is not the favorite most of the time but his antics draw fans’ eyes nonetheless. Today, at Halle, the Frenchman pulled off one of the most ridiculous no-look, behind the back, passing winner that we have ever seen against Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

After losing the first set in the tie breaker, he found himself down 2-1, on serve, in the second against Pierre-Hugues Herbert. While most players would just serve out the game to draw level, Monfils had other ideas - the kind that only he can have.

After serving down the T, the Frenchman decided to approach the net but did not look too confident in his approach. Herbert sliced the ball towards his backhand which allowed Monfils to finally get to the net. Sensing the opportunity, Herbert sliced the ball over Monfils and almost got it to the baseline. Monfils jogged back and it appeared that he had given up on the ball despite getting into a position where he could do something about it.

With the ball mere centimeters away from the ground, Monfils suddenly with the smoothness of a gazelle went for it. Not only did he get the ball over the net but also left Herbert, who had made his way to the net, a mere bystander as the ball went by. As Monfils celebrated on one side, Herbert was left stunned near the net. Once Herbert finally realized what had happened, he could not help but smile and applaud the moment of genius that he had just witnessed.

He did eventually lose the match but he, and maybe Herbert, will remember the shot for ever.