Has Gael Monfils Finally Found the Balance Between Flash and Focus?

Gael Monfils, the tennis world's ultimate showman, is finally performing the balancing act fans longed to see. After years of dazzling tennis fans with acrobatic shots and defensive wizardry, Monfils seems to have found focus without losing his flash.

On Sunday, Monfils defeated Ivo Karlovic 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-4 to win the Citi Open. It was the Frenchman's first ATP World Tour title in two years.

Despite having skipped the French Open, Monfils sits at No. 9 on the Singles Race to London this year.

Against Karlovic, Monfils fought off a match point to force a third set. The comeback reflects a subtle change in Monfils' game. He's still La Monf, the French magician who pulls winners out of thin air. He still walks with swagger and celebrates with youthful exuberance.

However, this reset Monfils model is more measured. The brilliance, talent and athleticism remain, but the implosion tendencies have subsided.

What's missing? Indifference. Unlike most players who self-destruct, tighten up or melt down, Monfils has a tendency to simply disappear in matches. Oh yeah, his body was on the court, but his thoughts and attention appeared to drift away.

Sometimes it seemed as if Monfils grew bored with the many weapons at his disposal.

Whether riding a two-set lead, as he did against Roger Federer in the 2014 U.S. Open, or mounting a comeback, Monfils sometimes seemed stumped by the prospect of "What next?" He could have become more aggressive, played better defense or mixed it up. Instead, he'd simply opt out.

Now, Monfils has injected more discipline into his game. He's figured out that strategy and artistry aren't mutually exclusive.

Last year, Monfils hired coach Mikael Tillstrom, who works with Stan Wawrinka's coach, Magnus Norman.

Wawrinka helped Monfils secure his new coach. He told L'Equipe (via Tennis Translations): "Gael, he’s a friend. I saw that he was uncertain. I asked him to name me some coaches he would like. He mentioned Tillstrom, saying he had asked him a few years ago but Mikael said no. And Gael didn't want to ask again, thinking he still didn't want to."

Tillstrom agreed, and the relationship appears to be working.

Two years ago, Monfils had no coach when he experienced that epic failure against Federer.

In an ESPN.com article written by Matt Draper in March 2015, tennis analyst Brad Gilbert said of Monfils: "Last year was pretty much a microcosm of his whole career. He's the human highlight reel. But half of his career he's been injured. He can do what no one else can do (in terms of shot-making), but it's too hard to use that in a match. It hurts his body and he loses focus."

"Just get your head together, man" was often the sentiment of those who relished Monfils' showmanship but grew frustrated with his results.

Going into the Citi Open, Monfils had lost in eight of his last nine ATP finals appearances. As a choke artist, Monfils found creative ways to blow matches.

But now he seems dialed in. He gets as excited as always, but instead of showing off after every winner, at the Citi Open, he saved celebrations for securing sets. Even after winning the title, the most important in his career, his response seemed almost muted.

After the win, Monfils thanked his coach and his team. He was gracious, appreciative and even-keeled. Perhaps this new Monfils has found the right balance between flash and focus just in time for the U.S. Open.