Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils pause Wimbledon clash at crucial moment to meet at net

Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils stopped their tiebreak to embrace each other at the net

Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils put the competition to one side during a crucial tiebreak at Wimbledon. The long-time friends and former top 10 players met in the second round at SW19 and took to Court 2 on Wednesday night knowing that their clash would likely be halted and rescheduled for Thursday. It meant that the first set tiebreak was crucial as both men were vying to take the lead before daylight faded. But they stopped to meet at the net for an embrace after the umpire intervened on an important point.

Wawrinka and Monfils were all square at 3-3 in the breaker when the Swiss former world No. 3 hit a forehand that was called out. Chair official Marijana Veljovic immediately overruled it and Monfils requested a challenge. The Hawkeye system showed that the umpire was right and Wawrinka’s shot caught the line, and she awarded the point to the three-time Grand Slam champion instead of replaying it. “My opinion it was a winner,” she told the Frenchman, who queried the call. But Monfils wasn’t fussed and he had some fun with Wawrinka in response. “No problem, Stan also,” he laughed before the two players started trading words in French and decided to meet at the net to continue their discussion.

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Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils put competition aside to showcase their friendship

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They hugged before returning to the baseline and Monfils went on to win the tiebreak 7-5, putting himself in the lead as the night went on. The match was suspended with the former world No. 6 leading 7-6(5) 6-4 5-5. They returned to resume the match on Thursday afternoon after Hubert Hurkacz was forced to retire injured in the first match on Court 2. And their friendship was on display once again as Wawrinka and Monfils were seen walking to the court and chatting about the Pole’s physical setback.

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