Pakistan, May 27 -- Gael Monfils is determined to emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James by playing into his 40s and hopes to play at Wimbledon, Montreal and the U.S. Open before bringing down the curtain on his ?career on home soil at the Paris Masters.

The Frenchman, who turns 40 in September, bade a fond farewell to Roland Garros after going down 6-2 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-0 to compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round on Monday, walking off to a standing ?ovation that celebrated a career that spanned two decades.

Monfils will retire at the end of the season as he seeks to manage his body into his 40s.

"Why do I want to get to the States Because I want to play until 40. My wish is to be an athlete that plays until 40 years o...