AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — French veteran Gael Monfils made history in Auckland on Saturday, becoming the oldest player to win an ATP Tour title. The 38-year-old Monfils defeated Zizou Bergs with a score of 6-3, 6-4 to claim his 13th tour title, a remarkable achievement achieved two decades after his first tour win.
This victory propelled Monfils into the record books, surpassing the previous record held by Roger Federer. Federer, who was 38 years and 74 days old when he secured the final tour title of his career at the Swiss Indoor event in Basel in 2019. Monfils now stands as the oldest player in the history of the ATP Tour to be ranked in the top 100, currently holding the 52nd spot.
The French player’s triumph in Auckland echoes the accomplishments of Pancho Gonzalez, who at 44 years, 7 months, and 4 days old, clinched a singles title in Kingston, Jamaica in 1972 before the inception of the ATP Tour in 1990.
Monfils demonstrated his resilience and skill on the court, maintaining a formidable blend of aggression and tenacious defense throughout the tournament. Despite a brief delay in the Auckland final due to a medical emergency in the crowd, Monfils remained focused and determined to secure his first title since the Stockholm Open in 2023.
In a pre-tournament interview, Monfils shared his enduring passion for tennis, emphasizing how his love for the sport continues to motivate him. He expressed, “I love tennis. I love what I’m doing so of course all the sacrifices you do, they are a little bit easier. When you love something, it’s easier to keep pushing.”
Reflecting on his long career, Monfils added, “I’ve been enjoying myself since the first day I played tennis and (at) 60 years old I will still have this joy. Practice, it’s easy. It’s in the DNA. Stay in shape, it’s easy. It’s more the travel.”
Following his triumph in Auckland, Monfils wasted no time in setting his sights on his next challenge, heading straight to the airport for a flight to Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open. There, he is scheduled to face Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round, showcasing his unwavering dedication to the sport and his relentless pursuit of success.
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