The world is still reeling from the unexpected loss of Matthew Perry, with fans recalling his unforgettable portrayal of Chandler Bing in Friends every day. Despite Ross and Rachel’s claim to fame with their “We were on a break” storyline, Monica and Chandler emerged as the epitome of lasting and steady relationships on Friends. Even after a full two decades of the show’s conclusion, Courteney Cox, the one who played Monica, recently, unintentionally, reawakened cherished recollections of the iconic couple, Mondler. 

The 59-year-old actress shared a funny Instagram video that stirred up recollections from a specific episode of Friends, leaving fans in stitches. 

Courteney Cox channeled her inner Serena Williams once again

Courteney Cox frequently showcases her impressive tennis skills on social media, and she always infuses humor into her videos. In a recent post, she shared a tennis video where, instead of hitting the ball with her racket, it lands inside her mouth. This comical reel drew parallels to The One with Chandler’s Work Laugh, where Chandler and Monica played a tennis game with Chandler’s boss and his wife. The video’s mishap brought back memories of Monica’s ultra-competitive side in that memorable episode.

The episode gets more interesting when one realizes that Matthew Perry in real life was a top-ranked junior tennis player in Canada. Perry’s tennis prowess might also explain the intense Ping-Pong match against Mike Hannigan, played by Paul Rudd.  Season five played a crucial role in the Mondler narrative, witnessing the birth of this on-screen couple. But ironically, Mondler was not even meant to be a couple initially. However, the creators changed their minds after a specific episode became an instant hit with the audience. 

Following the news of Matthew Perry’s passing, Courteney Cox revisited the very scene that planted the seed for the makers to consider Monica and Chandler as a potential romantic pair.

From a one-night stand to the best romantic relationship

Courteney Cox posted a behind-the-scenes clip from The One with Ross’s Wedding: Part Two, featuring Monica and Chandler’s first intimate moment. In the clip, after Cox emerged from under the sheets, she jokingly told Perry, “Okay, it’s your turn,” for a good laugh. Interestingly, during the shooting of this scene, the filmmakers had to halt production due to the audience’s overwhelming cheers that just would not subside. 

Originally, the writing team intended Monica and Chandler’s encounter to be a one-night stand, planning to move on after the London arc concluded. However, the live audience’s response changed their minds. Fans’ friends-to-lovers fanfic-level expectations for the characters convinced the writers that Mondler had to become a couple. This highlighted the significant role of the live audience in the filming of Friends. Even after two decades, Mondler remain a special couple for Friends fans, evident in the multitude of edits dedicated to them on social media.

What do you think about Courteney Cox’s nod to Mondler? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!