World No. 16 Gael Monfils has honoured a commitment he made to the South African Tennis Association (SATA) earlier this year and will be participating in the R3.5-million SA Tennis Open to be played at Montecasino in Johannesburg from 1-7 February 2010.

The flamboyant Frenchman was due to play in this year’s event but a right wrist injury during his fourth-round match at the Australian Open against countryman Gilles Simon forced him to withdraw.

“We are delighted Gael has agreed to come to the SA Tennis Open. He is an exciting and charismatic player who will not only be enjoyed by regular tennis fans but will also attract a host of new tennis enthusiasts to the tournament,”  said Elliot Themba, Senior Manager Sponsorship and Government Sales of tournament sponsors South African Airways.

The injury came at a time when the 23 year old was on a roll. He began the year by beating the then World No. 1 Rafael Nadal to reach the semifinals in Doha and then lost to Andy Roddick in three sets. Monfils broke into the Top 10 for the first time at the end of February when he reached the Abierto Mexicano Telcel final in Acapulco where he was defeated by Spain's Nicholas Almagro.

He avenged his loss to Roddick at Roland Garros, but bowed out to eventual champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals. As Monfils had won through to the semi-finals in 2008, the loss of ranking points saw him drop out of the Top 10.

Unfortunately Monfils injured his left wrist at the AEGON Championships in London and was forced to withdraw from his third-round match with Steve Darcis. The injury kept him sidelined throughout Wimbledon and he made his return at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. He also won through to the fourth round at the US Open where he lost to Nadal.

But later in September the Frenchman captured his second career ATP Wold Tour title at the Open de Moselle in Metz, beating German Phillip Kohlschreiber in the final.

Monfils, who is coached by Australian Roger Rasheed, regards the late Arthur Ashe as his role model. The Frenchman was the World No. 1 junior in 2004 where he won three of the four junior Grand Slams – Australian Open, Roland Garris and Wimbledon.  He was named ATP Newcomer of the Year in 2005.

At 1.93m it comes as no surprise to learn that he had not been a tennis player Monfils, whose nickname is LaMonf, would have played basketball. His favourite team is the Detroit Piston in the American NBA.  He is also a great fan of R&B music and when not playing tennis he can be seen walking around listening to his iPod.

His father, Rufin, a former soccer player, comes from island of Guadeloupe and his mother, Sylvette, comes from island of Martinique and is a nurse.

Tickets for the SA Tennis Open will go on sale mid November. An announcement in this regard will be made shortly.